2010-813-"The Urban Transition Area" in Riverside

[Noone]

Anybody know about this legislation that supports the creation of "The Urban Transition Area" in Riverside?
Introduced by Joost and co sponsored by Jones.

[CS Foltz]

No Mr Noone.............I know nothing about that one! I do know that both Joost and Jones voted "Yes" for the just passed property tax increase and this is maybe something they have come up with, to make themselves more palatable to their constituents! Since neither are in my District...........I don't care! I just make sure all are aware of who vote YES on that one and both of them did!I don't believe either have declared for the Pier either?

[Noone]

Its a resolution of support on a J bill that will create a drinking zone.

We need another round over here.

[grimss]

Downtown JAX offers special advantages for a restaurant owner because you don't have to have the 300+ seats typically required to get a liquor license. My understanding is that the folks behind the proposed new restaurant on Oak Street in 5 Points are seeking an extension of this special exemption to the 5 Points area. They want establishments that are primarily food-oriented to be able to sell booze even if they've only got, say, 150 seats.

[Allan D]

Downtown JAX offers special advantages for a restaurant owner because you don't have to have the 300+ seats typically required to get a liquor license. My understanding is that the folks behind the proposed new restaurant on Oak Street in 5 Points are seeking an extension of this special exemption to the 5 Points area. They want establishments that are primarily food-oriented to be able to sell booze even if they've only got, say, 150 seats.

Basically yes and yes with a few corrections -

Currently SRX (special restaurant exemption) licenses are issued to bona fide restaurants (51% or more in sales must be food and, basically, the bar closes when the kitchen does) with 150+ seats, while restaurants within the current boundaries defined in HB 485 are required to have only 100+.  Think, Burrito Gallery, bb's and Indochine - this is for restaurants, not bars.
 
House Bill 485 was unanimously passed in 1987 by the state legislature with local, bipartisan support and was written, at the time, to aid in the preservation and revitalization of downtown.  It helps small independent entrepreneurs succeed in the spatially challenging spaces these areas present.

We are proposing to amend House Bill 485 to include the 5 Points business district, deemed the Urban Transitional Area (UTA) in the Overlay passed in 2008.  This bill was originally passed to help economic development and the revitalization in the Urbancore and we believe it fits the 5 Points area perfectly and could bring positive growth to the UTA.

The board of Riverside Avondale Preservation voted to support this initiative and we hope that all will see the potential benefits.  While Black Sheep Restaurant Group did propose this, it would allow the same opportunity to the entire neighborhood.

[Allan D]

Allan, this is a very forward and helpful step for the urban core.  It radically reduces the costs associated with fine dining, and will lead to the area populating with nice restaurants and establishments.

Good for you guys for proposing it.

How is the response from the neighborhood groups?  RAP voted in favor, but there are other organizations.  This is such a good step.
[/quote]

Thank you Stephen.  We are hopeful. 

We have spoken with many, though not all, of the residents and business and property owners in the UTA and have received total support.  I spoke personally with a Pastor at one of the local churches and he was supportive.  Any other thoughts, let me know.

[CS Foltz]

Too many empty spaces now, this could change that landscape and I consider it win win for an area and the City!

[simms3]

Very good indeed!  Is it possible we can also amend any legislation to lengthen the time establishments can remain open?  I think in certain commercial areas if bars/restaurant-bars were allowed to serve until 2:45 they could drastically increase their business no?  I'm sure the wait staff/bar tenders may have some objections, though

[Allan D]

Very good indeed!  Is it possible we can also amend any legislation to lengthen the time establishments can remain open?  I think in certain commercial areas if bars/restaurant-bars were allowed to serve until 2:45 they could drastically increase their business no?  I'm sure the wait staff/bar tenders may have some objections, though

simms3 - agreed in context, but that treads on different ice.  It would require different changes to state wide laws as time restrictions are separate state codes and would require a much different amendment.  Still not impossible.    

I think Savannah is still 3 am, but a rarity for the Southeast.  NY and most of the west coast states I've been to are equally as lenient, or more so.

Starting with the aforementioned "bona fide" restaurants in Florida is, I think, a good start.  Next years goal would be to see how many other primarily business or mixed use districts in JAX would want to adopt the same provision.  Long term would be to spread it through the state, but with bona fide restaurants first.  The current 150+ seat restriction is clearly aimed at accommodating big box chains.

The intent of the Florida beverage laws, basically, reflects the constituents when they were written.  However, the change we are proposing and others that we hope grow from it, are reflective of the changes that have been occurring since the repeal of prohibition and the current population, but that's deserves a different thread.

Oh, and, yes - last call at 2:45 is enticing and I have experienced here (JAX) and there, but...don't miss it often.  Not opposed, but these proposed defined areas should have to undergo more scrutiny by the close residents, IMHO.

Allan

[Jumpinjack]

Amen to that, Allan. We live in a mixed use residence in a commercial neighborhood. We've learned to be tolerant of many things but there is a limit to how much we should have to put up with.

[grimss]

Downtown JAX offers special advantages for a restaurant owner because you don't have to have the 300+ seats typically required to get a liquor license. My understanding is that the folks behind the proposed new restaurant on Oak Street in 5 Points are seeking an extension of this special exemption to the 5 Points area. They want establishments that are primarily food-oriented to be able to sell booze even if they've only got, say, 150 seats.

Basically yes and yes with a few corrections -

Currently SRX (special restaurant exemption) licenses are issued to bona fide restaurants (51% or more in sales must be food and, basically, the bar closes when the kitchen does) with 150+ seats, while restaurants within the current boundaries defined in HB 485 are required to have only 100+.  Think, Burrito Gallery, bb's and Indochine - this is for restaurants, not bars.
 
House Bill 485 was unanimously passed in 1987 by the state legislature with local, bipartisan support and was written, at the time, to aid in the preservation and revitalization of downtown.  It helps small independent entrepreneurs succeed in the spatially challenging spaces these areas present.

We are proposing to amend House Bill 485 to include the 5 Points business district, deemed the Urban Transitional Area (UTA) in the Overlay passed in 2008.  This bill was originally passed to help economic development and the revitalization in the Urbancore and we believe it fits the 5 Points area perfectly and could bring positive growth to the UTA.

The board of Riverside Avondale Preservation voted to support this initiative and we hope that all will see the potential benefits.  While Black Sheep Restaurant Group did propose this, it would allow the same opportunity to the entire neighborhood.

I forgot to add that I think this is a great idea.  Liquor sales are unquestionably a profit center for dining establishments and in this uncertain economic environment, the margin on liquor sales is probably critical in helping even the best restaurants keep their doors open.

'town in the Avondale shops is seeking a waiver to permit liquor sales, too.

[Jason]

IMO, late night extensions on beer and alcohol sales should only be allowed along dedicated urban transit corridors (say within 2 or 3 blocks) to promote safety and lessen drunk driving.  The city/JTA should then run transportation accordingly to accomodate this.  That would be an amazing boon to the core neighborhoods and downtown allowing bars, restaraunts, theatres, and other nightlife establishments to flourish.  This could also help to create a critical mass of establishments along these lines further securing the validity of the transit.

[Allan D]

The successor to 2010-813 became J-3 (introduced by CM Joost) and eventually House Bill 1009 (Introduced by Rep. McBurney).  It passed through the House and Senate (with a single "no" vote) and was signed by Gov. Scott yesterday.  Party lines aside, it has the potential to be great for 5 Points while still a small contribution to the whole.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/matt-dixon/2011-05-31/cheers-scott-signs-bill-making-it-easier-sell-alcohol-part

[Noone]

Congratulations Allan.

May I join you in saying "We neeed another round over here."

Take the streetcar to the next Urban Transition Area on Bay St?