A Happier Happy Hour

Happy Hour will survive in Iowa City- at least for now!

Look, limiting bars, drink specials and even happy hour isn't going to solve the drinking problem. Mankato tried it- and will probably still continue to try it and it did precisely nothing to stem binge drinking deaths.

Diversifying and developing downtown is the solution however. The City Council has laid down on the job, quite frankly and let local business people be priced out of downtown by big city developers that want to bring a 'big city vibe' to downtown Iowa City that is completely out of touch with the needs of the community. The Northside Neighborhood around Linn Street and Dirty John's is worth developing and expanding a little more so that it can become its own, distinct shopping and eating district- if similar venture could be developed on the South Side of Downtown you would see a wider variety of options and businesses that could thrive and change the character of downtown.

We also badly need a movie theater downtown- in fact, a dollar theater would be an excellent addition to downtown, especially if University and City Officials are serious at providing alcohol-free alternatives to students downtown.

Happily, however, the City Council has backed off yet another half-assed solution to the problem they've never been able to solve!