City of Coeur d'Alene testing open alcohol container program at 5th Street Farmers Market

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- There are only a few more 5th Street Farmers markets left this year in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

But now, the city council is changing some rules.

It's launching a new pilot program that will allow people to have open containers of beer, wine and other alcohol at the farmers market.

The 5th Street Farmers Market only runs through September 25, meaning there's only three more each Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for people to enjoy the new pilot program for open alcohol containers.

This program will only be allowed where the streets are blocked off for the farmers market and you won't be able to take your drink outside of that area.

"It's a party town, particularly in the evenings," Coeur d'Alene resident Michael Gorham said, "people are drinking, walking up and down. I come here pretty frequently and I don't see issues."

The Coeur d'Alene City Council approved the pilot program at its September 3 meeting and the program will run for the next 90 days.

The city council plans to re-evaluate the program once it's over to see if it's worth implementing for next year.

Municipal Services Director Renata McLeod said police and fire are ready to provide extra security at the farmers market, but one city councilor voted no because of the impact the program could have on police resources.

City Councilor Dan English said, "as we've heard, our police and fire, we've got very limited resources. They're stretched for different things. Anyway, I'll be a no vote again."

Some people in downtown Coeur d'Alene believe this new program could lead to more people drinking excessively and causing safety issues for people at the farmers market and police.

But many say the vast majority of people will be responsible and they don't expect to see any significant issues with the farmers market.

"I feel like most people are responsible with their drinking and they're going to conduct themselves appropriately," Michael Gorham said, "obviously if you have some of the amazing food at the farmers market, a beer is going to compliment that."

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