The Morgantown City Council's original plan to distribute permits for tailgating on game days was deemed "logistically impossible," said City Manager Dan Boroff at Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting.
Anyone who wanted to tailgate would have had to attend a public hearing prior to the game to obtain the permit, Boroff said. This would cause hassle for the citizens and city.
The Council is instead encouraging the public to act responsibly and follow the laws already in place pertaining to open containers, public intoxication and noise levels.
The new alcohol-free student "Pit" is a sign to the community that West Virginia University is trying to make a difference on game days, said Sabrina Cave, executive director of WVU Parents Club, who helped organize the event and spoke to City Council.
"We are encouraging positive fan behavior," Cave said. "We are moving in a positive direction."
Cave said it was a safe alternative for students before games.
Mayor Bill Byrne recognized that the University is making an effort to make game days safer with a controlled use of alcohol and keeping it from spilling out into the community.
The council did, however, agree that a larger presence of police force patrolling the area near the stadium is necessary to keep tailgating safe.
Councilor John Gaddis suggested the Council take a look at what happens over the course of the first football game this Saturday to see if any issues arise regarding tailgating.
"Last year, after the first two games, there was an outbreak of tailgates in a new area," Boroff said. "That was what forced us to take a look at the issue."
The neighborhood is concerned about tailgating and game day activities moving out into surrounding areas, said Councilor Jenny Selin.
"We want people to come to Morgantown and enjoy their tailgating before the game but not let it get out of hand," Selin said.
The City Council also
discussed Morgantown sidewalks and walking safety in the city at the meeting.
Christiaan Abildso, chair of the Pedestrian Safety Board, presented a plan to the council to repair the city's sidewalks for a safer and
healthier mode of getting around.
He said that much of the city has "bumpy" sidewalks that are unsafe to walk on due to them being so rough.
"We don't want people walking in the street," Abildso said. "Especially with strollers like me and my wife have to."
The council intends to take a look at his proposed plan and possibly apply it to the city's $200,000 budget for repairing or replacing sidewalks.