IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - A longtime downtown Iowa City bar believes it’s time to revisit an ordinance the city put into place 16 years ago.

The 500-foot ordinance was established in 2009. Essentially, it means that no new bars can open within 500 feet of another licensed bar in the downtown area.

Trey Jennings, General Manager of Brothers since 2012, notes that a 2009 city ordinance prevents other bars from opening within 500 feet of existing ones, limiting competition. However, he believes more businesses could benefit downtown and suggests reviewing the measure. Currently, new establishments within this radius can sell alcohol only if they’re classified as ‘eating’ establishments—with most sales from food, not alcohol, which he feels creates a gray area.

“You don’t really know, like w

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