Midlands city bans late-night hours at local businesses to limit police strain
The city of Forest Acres has effectively banned late-night establishments in the small but growing city northeast of downtown Columbia.
Businesses operating in the city with more than 10,000 residents cannot be open between midnight and 5 a.m., except for a few exceptions, after the city council unanimously passed the measure on its final reading Tuesday night.
The move was not meant to target any specific business or in reaction to any specific incident, Forest Acres Mayor Thomas Andrews told The State. But Forest Acres can sometimes feel like the whole city is compressed onto Forest Drive. As that commercial corridor continues to see busy streets and new store openings, leaders wanted to set guardrails, Andrews added.
“I think if a business moves here, they certainly want access to Forest Acres’ shopping demographics,” he said. “But we want to sort of make sure they realize that they’re also part of a community and not just a shopping area.”
City leaders say there is currently just one business that operates 24 hours, a gas station on Forest Drive. Andrews stressed that the city has not had any significant crime or other problems at that business. But he did say that if other services, from convenience stores to hotels, were to open in Forest Acres without any added requirements, it could could strain the city’s police department. In particular, he said, the city wants to ensure police officers aren’t over-focused on the business corridor and are giving the residential streets equal attention.
The new rules have built-in exceptions for things like hospitals, urgent cares and veterinary offices, as well as fully automated exchanges, like at ATMs and pay-at-the-pump gas stations.
Certain businesses, including gas stations, pharmacies, hotel lobbies and grocery stores, can also apply for exceptions to the new rules, but in exchange would have to provide additional security measures. For example, if a grocery store wanted to operate beyond the hours of 5 a.m. to midnight, it would need to provide on-site security guards and security cameras in specific locations. Businesses will also be able to apply for permits if they want to hold special events, like for New Year’s Eve.
The new rules come as the city is preparing to welcome massive new business with the redevelopment of the former Richland Mall, which has been undergoing demolition for the last year. That project promises a new park with an amphitheater, a brewery, new retail space, new housing and more. It is expected to take several years before the first phase of work is done, and perhaps a decade before the full redevelopment vision is realized, according to city estimates.
At the same time the city’s business corridor is growing, leaders are also working to expand its residential neighborhoods by plugging holes in the city’s map. Leaders estimate there are roughly 1,500 homes that could become part of the city if homeowners agree to become annexed.
The new rules for businesses went into effect immediately.
