Public Weighs-In on Lincoln's Proposed Alcohol Ordinance Change

A proposed change to the city of Lincoln’s alcohol ordinance that would allow bars and breweries to open sidewalk cafes got some public support at this week’s council meeting. All six speakers at Monday’s public hearing were in support of the change.

Kayla Meyer is the coordinator of Lincoln’s Young Professionals Group and said the organization’s council members unanimously voted in favor of the proposed change.

“As an organization focused on making Lincoln and Nebraska the best place for young professionals, we believe this is a move forward for our city,” she said.

Tom Massey is the president of Nelnet, a student financing, tech, and education company in downtown Lincoln. He said the ordinance proposal got the business’ attention.

“We really need methods and ways to keep the very core of the city vibrant and fun,” he said, “not necessarily for people as old as me, but for the type of people we’re trying to recruit and keep in Lincoln.”

At least three council members, including James Bowers, who has proposed the changes, say they support or partially support the proposition. It would take four votes to change the current ordinance. Lincoln City Council will vote on the ordinance change at its August 16th meeting.