The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee approved a request Nov. 27 to file legislation to allow for open consumption of alcohol along the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks.
Downtown Investment Authority Resolution 2023-10-06 would create two “specialty center” areas with certain limitations.
The bill was based on the model along Tampa’s waterfront as well as the ”Sip and Stroll” events sponsored by Downtown Vision Inc.
State law authorizes creation of specialty centers where open containers and consumption of alcohol are allowed adjacent to navigable waterways.
The Northbank Specialty Center would be between the Riverside Arts Market and the Sports Complex.
The Southbank Specialty Center would stretch along the Riverwalk from the Fuller Warren Bridge and the RiversEdge development under construction east of the Duval County Public Schools headquarters.
The resolution will be introduced to City Council, which may enact legislation to authorize the plan.
Lori Boyer, DIA CEO, said there has been little opposition and that two Council members have spoken to her about sponsoring the bill.
The resolution would not need any additional revenue to be placed in operation if enacted by Council.
Rules for the open containers are:
• Alcoholic beverages may be sold by vendors licensed by the state to serve alcohol and consumed only in approved containers, specifically a plastic cup that bears the Jacksonville Riverwalk logo, is no larger than 16 ounces and is approved by the city for sale and use in the Jacksonville Riverwalk Specialty Center.
• Possession would be limited to no more than two approved containers per person.
• Open containers would not be allowed in nearby public parks unless a special event permit allowing alcoholic beverages is issued for an event by the city.
• Open containers of alcoholic beverages purchased outside the Specialty Center would not be allowed.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office would be responsible for enforcing Specialty Center rules.
Vendors would be responsible for not serving those under age or those who may have been overserved.
The resolution states that the strategic objective behind creating the Specialty Centers is to “support the expansion, renovation and improvement of existing and creation of new, diverse civic attractions, cultural venues, theaters and parks that provide a mix of activities and attract a broad range of demographics.”
DIA salary boosted: The MBRC passed a request by Boyer to increase the salary floor for a DIA project manager job from $57,733 to $90,000. Boyer told the committee that the DIA had been looking for a candidate for the position for more than a year.
The change moves the salary range for the position to between $61,799 to $104,017. The range had been between $54,983 to $92,574.
The budget impact is an additional $32,226 and does not include the costs of retirement and other benefits. The DIA has the money available by cutting part-time hours and leaving another position open, Boyer said.
The change moves the salary range for the position to between $61,799 to $104,017. The range had been between $54,983 to $92,574.
“We could not find qualified employees at those payments and with those position descriptions. So we have now moved on to finding qualified employees and then coming back in and asking for the pay we need to be able to hire,” Boyer said, addressing the difficulties of hiring in a competitive market.
Concrete plant funding: The committee approved a request for $100,000 to help offset the cost of site development for a proposed Titan Concrete plant near the former dog track on McDuff Avenue.
The company has budgeted $18 million to construct the site and expects to hire 23 employees, according to Joe Whitaker with the Office of Economic Development.