Selma’s entertainment district is approved, but city officials aren’t done with fine-tuning its ordinance just yet.

The Selma City Council approved the entertainment district in June, using Jazz on the Grazz as a trial run. Now, the council is preparing to revisit the ordinance and approve several amendments.

Council president Corey Bowie and Mayor George Evans met Wednesday with two of the five businesses on Water Avenue licensed to sell alcoholic beverages to outline guidelines for allowing open consumption of alcohol on the street.

The entertainment district ordinance allows open consumption of alcohol on Water Avenue — in downtown Selma — in plastic or paper cups. It also allows patrons to drink alcohol in glass containers, but only when within a business’ outdoor dining area.

“It’s like extending your bar onto the sidewalk,” said city attorney Jimmy Nunn.

Some of the proposed changes include time changes in the district’s operation hours.

The proposed amended ordinance would, among other things, change operation hours of the entertainment district. Current hours are 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The changed hours would be 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Bowie said special events could obtain permits, allowing entertainment district hours to be changed.

Side Porch Sandwiches owner Dianne Smitherman, who attended the meeting, said the city should consider adding more trash bins on Water Avenue and ensuring a significant police presence during entertainment district hours.

“I applaud the city for their efforts, but like anything, it’s going to take time,” Smitherman said before the meeting.

The ordinance could be approved Tuesday, during the city council’s meeting. Following its approval, Bowie said he would continue working with businesses to promote events and boost interest.

“We just have to make sure we follow our action plan,” he said. “This is not going to be a continually delayed project, but we are going to have to take a collaborative approach with the mayor’s office and businesses.”

Bowie said one challenge would be ensuring at least four businesses licensed to sell alcohol stay open on Water Avenue. State law requires at least four. He said the city would also have to help organize special events to boost traffic on Water Avenue.

Even though Bowie is taking on Water Avenue as a primary part of downtown revitalization, he said cleaning up Alabama Avenue, which houses several bars and clubs, is also important.

Alabama Avenue isn’t included in the entertainment district. Evans said the city would begin cracking down on open consumption of alcohol outside of Alabama Avenue clubs, but also ensure businesses are cleaning up after closing time.