The Carbondale City Council Tuesday will consider a proposal that would allow bars on the strip to stay open during Halloween.
Sally Carter, the owner of Hangar 9, is asking for the nearly 20-year old ordinance to be changed. Hangar 9 along with Side Tracks, and Styx Bar & Billiards has been mandated to close during Halloween since 1994. The City enacted the restrictions on Bars as a means of controlling street parties along South Illinois Avenue associated with Halloween. The last major street party occurred in 2000 when city officials temporarily lifted the bar restrictions.
The city’s Liquor Advisory Board discussed Carter’s request during a hearing held in May. The City Council discussed the issue during one of its meetings last month. Council then asked the City manager to come up with alternatives. Carbondale City Manager Kevin Baity has come up with four recommendations that the City Council is expected to consider at its meeting Tuesday night. Those include a one-year trial repeal of the restrictions; a graduated reduction of the restricted area within the city; a complete repeal of the restrictions; or leave the restrictions on bars in place.
City staff have expressed concerns about removing the restrictions. The city estimates it would cost $30,000 to but new crowd control gear for city police officers as well as more than $40,000 in overtime costs for police officers and city street crews.
