Downtown bars want more outside seating

[John P]

http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-06-30/story/beyond-bay-street-more-downtown-jacksonville-bars-want-extend-their-space

"At the bars along a three-block stretch of Bay Street, patrons can order alcoholic beverages inside the storefront buildings and then drink them outside on neon-lit sidewalks, mingling in the slipstream of people drawn to downtown Jacksonville's nightlife.

Other bars near Bay Street want to offer the same outdoor option for their customers.

But under the city's current ordinance, they cannot get city permits to set up sidewalk cafes.

A proposal headed for City Council would loosen the restriction by doubling the downtown zone where bars can use sidewalks for their customers."

etc etc

[duvaldude08]

I knew they were going to bring up the church issue.

[Bativac]

The city needs to get the hell out of the way! Jesus, Don Redman, give me a break! The churches will survive a little sidewalk seating.

Of course half his constituents are probably totally in agreement with him. This city. Jeezis.

[copperfiend]

Don "Bass Ackwards" Redman

[duvaldude08]

We'll see what happens. He is not the only person on the city council. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Ralph W]

For every table allowed, require one bicycle rack installed. Don will come around. Oh, requiring a separate vegetarian menu will help, too.

[JeffreyS]

I think this is going forward.  It is an expansion of what is in place now and will be successful. It will be expanded again following more success.

For every table allowed, require one bicycle rack installed. Don will come around. Oh, requiring a separate vegetarian menu will help, too.

Bike racks would be great.

[wsansewjs]

For every table allowed, require one bicycle rack installed. Don will come around. Oh, requiring a separate vegetarian menu will help, too.

That would be too much racks. You mean one SLOT per table? Basically 6 slots = one bike rack, so you need six tables to hook a brother up!

-Josh

[Jaxson]

Sidewalk cafes with some adult beverages are not 'family friendly,' but having a half-dead downtown that is filled with dark alleys and abandoned buildings is great for our 'family' atmosphere!  This further illustrates why the urban core needs to have its own dedicated representative on the city council...

[Tacachale]

Hopefully he'll see that this is obviously good legislation. The expanded zone shouldn't be near the churches if that's really his concern.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

For every table allowed, require one bicycle rack installed. Don will come around. Oh, requiring a separate vegetarian menu will help, too.

are you implyïng the don's a vegetarian?

[duvaldude08]

Hopefully he'll see that this is obviously good legislation. The expanded zone shouldn't be near the churches if that's really his concern.

I think he just wanted something to say. Honestly, this oridiance will not have a negative impact. bay street succeed with no issues. So I think he's already trying to make an arguement that is not even there.

[JaxNative68]

you can sip on wine inside the church, but you can have a beer on the street adjacent to the church.  Ridiculous!

Maybe the bars outdoor seating can be located adjacent to the Catholic churches?

[ohhkristin]

So, the church believes their religion is strong enough to save sinners from eternal hell, but can't combat a couple of tables, chairs, and adult beverages on a sidewalk? lame.

[Coolyfett]

you can sip on wine inside the church, but you can have a beer on the street adjacent to the church.  Ridiculous!

Maybe the bars outdoor seating can be located adjacent to the Catholic churches?

What church is near by the Bay Street clubs?