Houghton Will Need to Approve Common Areas for Downtown Social District

Houghton’s has nearly finished the city’s recreation plan. All that’s left to do is for the council to approve the document, which will be sent off to the state for its records. Houghton’s recreation plan also addresses chapter four of the city’s updates to the master plan. Additional items on the city council agenda for tonight include the creation of a social district and an announcement from the police department regarding accreditation. Earlier in the year Houghton approved the boundaries for a social district implemented in the downtown area. In line with the state’s rules and regulations for social districts, the city will need to approve common areas, where alcoholic beverages can be purchased with a specialized cup. The common areas in the social district represent participating businesses residing in the downtown sector. A final item will be about the police department’s accreditation. Earlier in the year the Houghton police department began the process of becoming accredited, which establishes that the department follows procedures when interacting with the public. The accreditation process requires a department audit, a public comment period, and an assessment of the facility. The Houghton city council meeting will begin at 5;30 p.m. this evening in the council chambers in our city center.