by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Will downtown get a later curfew? A special committee assigned to reviewing a proposed 4 a.m. last call for alcohol in portions of the area will likely recommend to the City Council next month that it wouldn’t be so bad — but only with the proper provisions in place ahead of time.
To date, the Downtown Entertainment District Community Review Committee has been careful about speaking for or against the controversial subject, often saying that if it were to come to fruition, it would simply want to see it done right.
“What I think we’re saying is that if the Council is going to look at this issue, really consider whether or not it’s a good idea, (then) consider these recommendations,” said committee member and attorney Audrey Moran.
Those recommendations seem flexible. Moran and fellow committee members Frank Mackesy of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and attorney Bob Rhodes said that the proposed Entertainment Zone should be kept small, at least in the beginning.
Confining it to the northbank and only in and around the Jacksonville Landing and along the Bay Street Town Center have been popular suggestions. At its meeting Wednesday the committee also suggested the Entertainment Zone only be in effect on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and on holidays.
According to a draft report compiled by City attorney Dylan Reingold, “The committee understands that many businesses that currently serve alcohol downtown do not intend to serve alcohol after 2 a.m. during the week. In order to conserve public safety resources, the City Council may wish to consider limiting extended hours of alcohol sales.”
And what about the remaining JSO overtime costs? Working from the City of Miami Ordinance code, the committee suggested that a trust fund be established. That fund, they said, could become flush with permitting fees from Entertainment Zone businesses.
Mackesy said those dollars would not entirely cover JSO overtime costs, but that they could provide some relief. Reingold said a final report should be completed before the end of the week.
The committee was assembled by City Council member Suzanne Jenkins in May. Jenkins, who is sponsoring the necessary legislation, said having a group of non-elected “downtown stakeholders” voice their concerns about establishing a downtown entertainment district would provide some valuable input before the Council starts its debate on the issue later this summer.