KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mayor Quinton Lucas and Third District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson introduced Ordinance 260250 to establish a Retail Alcohol Impact Area Plan in specific Kansas City neighborhoods where residents have long voiced concerns about safety, public disorder, and quality of life.
The ordinance is designed to address ongoing problems linked to the retail sale of certain cheap, quick-consumption alcohol products. The plan would apply to designated areas including the Prospect Corridor, Independence Avenue Overlay, Midtown, Downtown, and Blue Ridge Corridor; areas experiencing recurring public safety concerns based on documented public safety patterns and community leader feedback.
"Residents in these neighborhoods have shared real concerns about violence, public disorder, loitering, and how these issues affect their safety and quality of life," said Mayor Lucas. "In some areas, these conditions have persisted for far too long. The ordinance is a targeted response to help address specific retail practices that research shows can unintentionally contribute to neighborhood instability."
“When convenience takes precedence over community welfare, the proliferation of single serve liquor shops can lay the groundwork for heightened crime and violence,” said Councilwoman Robinson. “Research has shown that neighborhoods with a higher density of liquor stores, particularly those offering single-serving options, experience significantly increased violent crime rates. Last year, 38 percent of our homicide victims were 24 years old or younger. In one study, even after controlling for poverty, drugs, gangs, and guns, higher liquor store density (providing easy access to alcohol) significantly contributed to elevated youth homicide rates among ages 13-24. Researchers recommend limiting outlet density and banning single-serve containers to reduce trends in youth violence.”
Under the proposed Plan, stores in designated areas (excluding grocery stores) would be prohibited from selling individual containers of:
- Half pints, nips, minis, and airplane bottles of hard liquor with an alcohol content of 35% or more; and
- Malt beverages and beer sold in 40-ounce containers or less
The ordinance does not ban alcohol sales altogether, prohibit single-serve alcohol sold in larger quantity packages, or single out individual stores. Instead, it establishes reasonable, targeted limits on specific products in defined areas.
Research shows that when concentrated in specific areas, the retail sale of cheap, single-serve high alcohol content products can unintentionally contribute to increased crime including violent crime, increased calls for police and emergency services, public intoxication and disorder, and higher levels of litter.
Community leaders have voiced support for the ordinance as a tool to address longstanding neighborhood concerns.
"The Urban League of Greater Kansas City supports this common-sense approach to addressing public safety and quality of life issues that have plagued our neighborhoods for far too long," said Gwen Grant, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City. "This ordinance is about ensuring all residents have access to safe, stable communities where they can thrive."
"As neighbors in the Santa Fe community, we've seen firsthand how these retail practices impact our daily lives," said Marquita Taylor, representing the Santa Fe Neighborhood Association. "We appreciate city leaders taking resident concerns seriously and working toward solutions that will help restore safety and pride in our neighborhoods."
The ordinance will be heard in the City Council's Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee in March, allowing time for continued public education and community input. Residents are encouraged to attend the committee hearing in person or virtually, contact their councilmembers, or submit written testimony.