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Southern California Coastal City OKs Outdoor ‘Entertainment Zone’ to Revive Promenade

Santa Monica leaders approved outdoor alcohol drinking to encourage more foot traffic.
Southern California Coastal City OKs Outdoor ‘Entertainment Zone’ to Revive Promenade
Pedestrians walk past vacant retail store fronts for lease along the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Calif., on March 20, 2023. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
Jill McLaughlin
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Santa Monica city council members approved a downtown “entertainment zone” on May 13 to draw more people to the city’s shopping and dining establishments along the Third Street Promenade while also allowing them to drink alcohol outdoors.

The idea is to create an experience to bring more people down to shop, eat, and enjoy the downtown area, Mayor Lana Negrete said.

Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
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Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.