In 2006, in hopes of decreasing public drunkenness, the Seattle City Council passed a ban on certain "highly fortified" alcoholic beverages in a number of Seattle neighborhoods. The controversial bans created "Alcohol Impact Areas" (AIA) in neighborhoods including Capitol Hill, the Central Area, Lower Queen Anne, SoDo, and the University District. As specified in the original ordinance, in these neighborhoods and these neighborhoods only stores were restricted from selling "low-cost, highly fortified beer and wine," which city officials believe to be favored by "the people who are chronically drunk on city streets and sidewalks." more ›