Ypsilanti is set to open its own social district, allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages in certain designated, outdoor spaces. The Ypsilanti City Council approved a resolution for a social district in Depot Town at its Dec. 9, 2025, meeting.
A social district is a designated area in which patrons can consume alcoholic beverages in certain common areas outside of the walls or patio spaces of a licensed establishment, said Elize Jekabson, executive director of Ypsilanti's Downtown Development Authority. Certain rules apply in the social district. For example, only alcohol purchased from participating establishments in the approved drinking cups can be consumed in the district, said the presentation. Cups may not be reused.
“Sidewalks and crosswalks within the borders, the Depot Town Pedestrian Alleyway and the Freighthouse Plaza are considered common areas,” stated a report about the social district presented to the council members. “During street closures, the common areas include the closed off areas of the street.”
“You have to enjoy your drink responsibly within the social district,” Jekabson said. “All local and state laws still apply."
Only alcohol purchased from participating establishments in the approved drinking cups may be consumed in the social district.
To serve social district beverages, businesses must have city approval and a special permit from the state, said the resolution. Beverages must be served in a non-glass container, 16 ounces or less, with the bar or restaurant logo and social district logo displayed on the cup.
Jekabson said that the addition of a social district does not mean that the streets around it will be closed every day. The social district will typically exist on sidewalks and non-street areas, and streets may be closed down for special events in the city, Jekabson said. The social district will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Businesses can request to extend the hours until 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve. The social district may be requested to extend to Market Place Drive and the Ypsilanti Freighthouse during public events.
Social districts were born from COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, and have become popular in the area, Jekabson said. 144 municipalities in the state have established social districts, Jekabson said. Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Saline and other nearby cities have social districts. Ypsilanti is the only city in Washtenaw County that didn't have one, Jekabson said.
No communities in Michigan have revoked a social district for health or safety reasons, Jekabson said.
There are currently eight qualified, liquor-licensed bars and restaurants in the area that qualify to be part of the social district. They include 734 Brewing Company, Aubree's Pizzeria and Grill, Sticks Bar, Maíz Mexican Cantina, WaxBar, The Sidetrack Bar and Grill, Mash Bar and Thompson & Co.
Fee to businesses
Council Member Amber Fellows raised a motion to increase the fee businesses must pay to be part of the social district, originally slated to be $50 per year for businesses, to $100 per year. The amendment was approved, with only Council Member Patrick McLean voting against raising the fee. Council members cited the added expenses of extra trash collection as the reason for an increased fee, as only disposable cups can be used in the social district.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, commenter Peter Church suggested increasing the fee for businesses. Church also presented concerns about enforcement of the social district.
Location
Freda Klaassen, owner of Thrift Depot in Ypsilanti, also raised concerns about social district enforcement during public comments. Klaassen said that part of the social district area overlaps with private property that she owns. Klaassen raised questions to the council about how the area will be marked off as private property. Her property is located near Market Place and Rice Street, she said to The Eastern Echo, which is included in the social district map.
Signage will indicate which areas are private property, Jekabson said. The map can also be amended based on private properties nearby, and other factors.
Council members considered an amendment to extend the social district map, but the amendment did not pass.
Mayor Nicole Brown said the Depot Town social district will be a pilot process to try out a social district in a contained area. Brown said that eventually, an additional social district might be designated in the downtown area of Ypsilanti.
