Topeka leaders expand common consumption areas to include TPAC

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Capital city leaders vote to expand the area people can and walk around while drinking alcohol in downtown Topeka.

At Tuesday's city council meeting, Topeka leaders unanimously approved amending the local common consumption areas (CCA), to include the Topeka Performing Arts Center.

According to the city document, the CCA will now take up the following area: Southeast Fourth Street from Southwest Jackson Street to Southeast Monroe Street; Southeast Monroe Street from Southeast Fourth Street to Southwest Eighth Avenue; Southwest Eighth Avenue from Southeast Monroe Street to Southeast Quincy Street; Southeast Quincy Street from Southwest Eighth Avenue to Southwest 10th Avenue; Southwest 10th Avenue from Southeast Quincy Street to Southwest Jackson Street; Southwest Jackson Street from Southwest 10th Avenue to Southeast 4th Street.     

People visiting one of Topeka’s CCAs can drink outside of a licensed bar, restaurant or other establishment that is approved to sell alcoholic beverages by the city and state of Kansas. These areas are marked by signs and operate between 8 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. throughout the week.

Topeka first opened two CCAs earlier this year for downtown and the North Topeka Arts District (NOTO). In April 2023, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill allowing cities to create their own CCAs.

City of Manhattan leaders discussed CCAs being created in areas of downtown and Aggieville in September. City staff stated CCAs would be better for the community than special events because streets would be able to stay open and bars are not responsible for any liquor liabilities.

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