Gov. Jay Nixon signed a bill this afternoon -- without ceremony -- that, among others things, will allow Westport and other entertainment districts to offer outdoor drinking later this summer.

    "Thank God," said Westport business owner Bill Nigro.

   State Sen. Victor Callahan, who helped push the bill: "It's a good compromise."

   The measure will allow a "promotional association" in a "festival district" in Kansas City to offer limited open-air drinking, subject to some restrictions:

1)  24 festival events per district per year, 48 hours each, with no more than 2 per month, in which drinking will be allowed in "common areas"

2)  10 days a year, customers could go bar-to-bar with open containers

3)  The City Council, police, liquor control, and some neighbors must approve the deal

    Westport hopes to start the ball rolling now so it can offer a festival around the Westport Art Fair in mid-September.  Since the bill doesn't go into effect until the end of August, however, it isn't clear if they can get the needed approvals in time.   

      Power and Light district president Jon Stephens, in an email:

    "We believe that this is bad public policy and could be detrimental to the neighborhoods of Kansas City.  This law could allow an unchecked expansion of open drinking in neighborhood streets and do nothing to further the stated intent of increasing art and cultural festivals in our city."