Shakopee is hosting two social districts starting in September, but Stillwater wants more time to figure out its plan.
Minnesota cities continue to mull their own downtown "social district," where people can walk around with open containers of alcohol, following the apparent success of the state's first in Anoka.
Shakopee will officially become the second Minnesota city to be home to a social district, which officially started in September. Stillwater is in line to be the third, but progress has stalled as the community weighs the pros and cons.
The state-sanctioned social districts allow visitors to purchase beer, wine and cocktails served in special cups from businesses within a designated area and stroll about with those beverages.
The Shakopee City Council approved a plan for a two social districts, around the Canterbury Park entertainment area and near the downtown riverfront, on Wednesday.
Shakopee's social districts will run from September through October and return briefly the first weekend of December. The districts will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during those periods and will likely return for a full season starting in May.
But in Stillwater, city officials are pumping the brakes on launching a downtown social district this summer after a survey revealed significant trepidation amongst residents.
The survey by the city found that just over 50% of respondents are opposed or slightly opposed to a social district in downtown Stillwater, compared to 44% in favor or slightly in favor. Opposition was strongest amongst downtown residents, with areas of concern including public intoxication and littering.
Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowski told WCCO that he's "pretty well squarely on the fence with this one"
More than 400 people took the survey. Results were presented to the mayor and city council on Wednesday.
"People have a fear of turning into Vegas or New Orleans," Kozlowski said.
Stillwater could initially opt for a social district pilot to see how it goes. City officials plan to continue discussing the idea and engaging with the community before a decision is made, per FOX 9.
The pilot program was first introduced and approved by state legislators in the 2022 omnibus liquor bill.
Anoka was given the go ahead to pilot Minnesota's first social district, starting with a monthlong trial in 2023.
Anoka hosted its social district for a full season in 2024. The city's second full season started in May and runs until early October.
Shakopee and Stillwater won approval from the Minnesota Legislature for social districts in 2024.
Since then, other Minnesota cities have expressed interested in giving social districts a shot, too.
Minneapolis officials including Mayor Jacob Frey have have floated a social district on Nicollet Mall.
Blaine wants a social district in its 105th Avenue development near the National Sports Center. If it comes to fruition, visitors should be able to sip and shop at Scheels, which is opening a 250,000-square-foot store within the $750 million project in 2028.