HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Huntsville's efforts to revitalize downtown as a trendy destination could get a boost from a somewhat unlikely source.

The state Legislature is considering a bill that would relax open container laws in designated entertainment districts. And downtown advocates said that could be a spark to awaken the downtown area.

"I hope so," said Ted Matsos, owner of Papou's Greek Cuisine on the courthouse square. "Anything to bring them downtown."

The bill, sponsored by Rep. James Buskey, D-Mobile, and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, would allow the entertainment districts to be established in cities with an incorporated arts council, main street program or downtown development agency.

The bill passed the House on March 14 in a 85-3 vote and is now being considered by the state Senate. The Birmingham City Council has already endorsed the bill while Montgomery has established a similar law for its successful Riverwalk downtown efforts.

If signed into law by Gov. Robert Bentley, it would still require approval by the Huntsville City Council before it would be enacted locally. And the details about how it would be applied to Huntsville's downtown remain to be seen.

But the prospect for a downtown boost is on the horizon.

"I'm familiar with Riverwalk in Montgomery," said Doug Smith, owner of Sound Cell recording studio on Meridian Street and a longtime downtown advocate. "I'm totally in favor of the law in theory and with it being supported by arts councils and being able to use it in smaller festival applications.

"For people to be able to carry around a glass of wine and do an art stroll, I'm sure would enhance a lot of things - the venues being able to pull people in for dinner and afterwards. I think it would be a great help for the downtown area."

State law confines alcohol consumption to a specific location. For instance, visitors to Saturday's crawfish boil at the Von Braun Center South Hall couldn't take alcoholic drinks out of the South Hall.

Brandi Quick, assistant director at the VBC and spokeswoman for the crawfish boil, said she was unaware of the bill.

"At the current time, we have to monitor people exiting the building to make sure they don't leave with alcohol," Quick said.

Matsos said easing open container restrictions was discussed in 2009 by the community committee that visited Chattanooga to glean ideas on improving downtown social life.

"That was discussed about making an invisible fence around downtown around certain streets where you can go from bar to bar or walk around the park or look at the statues and the art," said Matsos, who was a part of the committee. "It would be a great impact on downtown if it does pass."

Smith said working out the details would be critical to making the most of the law if it passes. Easing open container laws shouldn't be an additional burden on police, he said.

"I think it would increase the interest in downtown and drive more people there to spend an evening walking around and enjoying the architecture and the various venues, clubs and restaurants," Smith said. "We have a beautiful downtown area.

"I know in my area, which is zoned as downtown, it would be a great benefit for us because we have several nightclubs that attach through private property. Our backyard fences are shared. With an open container law, we could have (open) containers out on the street and it would be easier to go club hopping in our particular uptown area."

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