FRIENDSWOOD, Texas -- Friendswood voters overwhelmingly voted to lift a ban on alcohol sales in its downtown area for the first time in 46 years, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Proposition 1 passed with 68 percent of the vote and allows the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption.

Proposition 2 passed with 72 percent of the vote and allows restaurants to sell mixed drinks.

Proponents of the propositions say this opens the door for economic development.

"This will bring us more business," said Charles Goode, general manager of Perry's and Sons in Friendswood. "It will also attract more chain restaurants to the area which will help our business, too."

The issue was put on the ballot after a group of Friendswood business owners and developers collected 12,000 signatures for the petition.

The area affected is along FM 518 between FM 2351 and FM 528.

"I didn't even have to think twice about voting yes," said Stephanie Spuhler, Friendswood resident. "I hope this will bring in some new restaurants to the area."

Spuhler said the law was dated and change was long overdue.

Others disagreed, saying this hurts the city's heritage and could be dangerous.

"Friendswood is a nice little town and we don't want to ruin it by having teens with alcohol on the road," said Theresa Gazaw, Friendswood resident.

The law won't go into effect until city council canvasses the votes on Nov. 16.