River District
Entertainment and Historical River District Boundaries
Under the authority granted in Act 874 of 2021, the City Council does hereby create and establish a Historic and Entertainment District in downtown Cotter, Arkansas, with the areas and boundaries as set forth and designated as follows: Generally, the Municipal Zone in the Downtown is designated as Multiple Use (MU-1 and Commercial (C-2). Specifically the District shall be any property facing streets as described hereafter: property on both sides of South Avenue from the Hwy345/Railroad track to Third Street; property on both sides of McLean Ave from the Hwy 345/Railroad track to Third Ave; property on facing north located on the South Side of Combs Ave from Second Street to Third (excluding children’s playground); property on both sides of Ruthven St / Combs Ave from Cotter Bridge to Second Street; property on both sides of Dalton Ave from Harding Blvd to Second Street; property on both sides of Powell Ave from Harding Blvd to Second Street; property on both sides of Second Street from Harding Blvd to Railroad track at end of Second Street; property on both sides of Harding Blvd from Second Street to Combs Ave; and property on both sides Hwy 345 from Combs Ave to Railroad Track Crossing on Hwy 345. (Excludes Big Spring Park and Walking Trail)
rules & regulations
- Any merchant or entity in the District that is licensed by the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for on-premise retail alcohol beverage sales shall comply with all laws, rules, and regulations that govern its license type, except that a patron, guest or member of that licensee may exit the licensed premises with no more than one (1) open container of alcoholic beverages and consume said alcoholic beverages anywhere within the confines of the District in which the alcoholic beverage was obtained. Alcoholic beverages can only be removed from the licensed premises in a paper or plastic cup. It shall be unlawful for any person to exit such licensed premises with more than one such open container.
- Participating businesses within the District will be required to provide cups with City approved logo with the establishment’s name.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to drink or attempt to drink any alcoholic beverage from a can, bottle, or glass container, or to possess any open can, bottle, or glass container of alcoholic beverages on the streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, and parking lots located within the District. Glass containers shall be allowed in a licensee's outdoor sit-down dining areas on their own premises. Only plastic containers shall be allowed on a public sidewalk table in front of premises or other right-of-way where the licensee has a right-of-way use agreement with the City of Cotter.
- No person shall possess on the streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, parking lots, or outdoor public areas located within the District any open alcoholic beverage container that exceeds sixteen (16) fluid ounces in size.
- No person shall be permitted to leave the District with an open alcoholic beverage container. All unfinished quantities of alcoholic beverages must be properly disposed of prior to the individual (s) leaving the District. Waste receptacles with approved logo shall be placed around the District by participating Merchants.
- Establishments within the boundaries of the District, including those that do not serve alcoholic beverages, shall clearly indicate their participation in the District with prominently displayed window signage. No individual possessing an alcoholic beverage shall enter an establishment that does not indicate its participation in the District. By failing to display window signage indicating participation, a business within the boundaries of the District acknowledges that it does not allow District beverages within its premises.
- The boundaries of the District will have designated map and signage place within the District.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to consume any alcoholic beverages while in the confines of a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is located upon any public street, parking lot or other place to which the public has or is permitted to have access within the District.
- Merchants in the District may display One (1) A-frame or sandwich board-style sign promoting their business, provided that the sign is only displayed during the business’ operating hours. The maximum dimensions of a sign are twenty-eight (28) inches by fifty (50) inches on a side. A business desiring to display a portable sign larger than that must first receive permission from the City of Cotter before displaying said sign. Signs should be placed directly in front of the respective businesses, and a sign’s placement should not impede sidewalk foot traffic any more than what is reasonable. Caution should also be taken to make sure that said sign is not a distraction to the safe operation of motor vehicles
Compliance with the Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC) & Department of Finance and Administration (DF&A) and City of Cotter Ordinance 2024-08 dated August 22, 2024, does not diminish the requirement or authority of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Finance and Administration concerning permits issued within the designated entertainment District, including special event permits.
