by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
It took decades, but City, University of Florida and University of Georgia officials have convinced most folks to stop calling the Florida-Georgia game “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”
Now, UF President Dr. Bernard Machen wants to take things a few steps further. In a June 29 letter to Mayor John Peyton, Machen asked the City and the Landing to consider nine recommendations that he believes will make the game-day experience slightly more sober and safer for everyone.
Since then, the mayor’s office and Landing officials have met formally and informally to discuss Machen’s concerns. In a letter date July 7, Machen indicated the City has started to address those concerns and is pleased, thus far, with the progress.
“The university is very optimistic we will work things out with the City and improve the safety during the Florida-Georgia game,” said UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes. “We are waiting for a letter from Mayor Peyton.”
Sikes also said the issues raised by Machen are important because the City and the schools are in contract extension negotiations. The current contract expires after the 2010 game.
Adam Hollingsworth, Peyton’s chief of staff, confirmed that contract negotiations are taking place. He also said assuring the game day experience is safe — and the universities believe it’s safe — is an element of the negotiations.
“The safety of the students and the fans is an issue,” he said. “Obviously, we want the game for a long, long time.”
Hollingsworth said Peyton is working with Sheriff John Rutherford and other law enforcement officials in an effort to curb some of the game day drinking and the problems that can occur as a result of overindulging. In his June 29 letter, Machen related an episode in which an underage girl was intoxicated and transported to a local hospital — at 11:30 a.m. the day of the game.
“We will put together a plan,” said Hollingsworth, adding the plan includes JSO, the Fire Marshall and local agents with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms.
Hollingsworth also said the City is willing to pick up the entire tab for the Sideline Safety Zone, an area where intoxicated, dehydrated or lost fans can go to rest, get something to eat or drink and make a phone call with no questions asked. The Safety Zone costs about $30,000 to set up, operate and take down. In previous years, the City and the schools split the cost equitably.
“It’s been very successful and it’s a modest investment,” said Hollingsworth.
One thing Hollingsworth said it’s nearly impossible to monitor or control is pre-game drinking in the various parking lots around the stadium. The City’s open container law isn’t emphatically enforced and there’s no way to assure every person gathered around every vehicle with a drink in their hand is of-age. What the City will do, said Hollingsworth, is talk to the universities about their policies and procedures during home games in Gainesville and Athens, during which there is plenty of unregulated drinking.
“What we want to know is, what do the universities do around their campuses? They have 6-8 games of experience year in and year out,” he said. “What works? What’s impractical? We want to apply that here.”
Rachel Nudge, director of public relations for the Landing, said Landing owner Toney Sleiman has taken many steps over the years to control the size of the crowd at the Landing and assure those with a drink in their hand are of age. She did say asking the Landing to stop serving a particular drink may not be reasonable.
“We have a private business and we are a landlord,” she said, adding Sleiman and Landing General Manager Janice Lowe will meet with Machen in the near future. “There are some things we do they may not be aware of and have done in the past and are misconstrued.”
Nudge said a meeting is held with the Landing tenants each year before the game to discuss several issues. She also said ATF is given its own space within the Landing from which to operate. In an effort to divert the crowd from the courtyard area, three years ago the stage was removed and is rebuilt on Hogan Street at the western end of the Landing. There is a $10 cover charge to get into the Landing, but Nudge said it’s up to the individual bars and restaurants to check IDs and monitor alcohol sales.
“We have never had a serious incident. We have never had anyone seriously injured. There have been no deaths, no shootings and no stabbings,” said Nudge. “We have to be doing something right.”
She also said each year is a learning experience for the Landing and its tenants and each year that experience is applied to the preparations for the next game.
“If we weren’t trying to improve, that would be our fault,” said Nudge. “We are willing to learn and we are willing to tweak things.”
The following are the nine concerns Dr. Bernard Machen, president of the University of Florida, sent to the City regarding the annual Florida-Georgia game.
1. Limit occupancy at the Landing to the standards established by the Fire Marshall.
2. Reduce by 50 percent the temporary alcohol vendor distribution points.
3. Increase the presence of the ABT at the Landing during both evenings.
4. Fund the total operation of the Sideline Safety Zone.
5. Assist the universities and the operation by providing trained professional staff to manage the fans brought to the zone, given the increase in non-student traffic.
6. Continue having EMTs available during Sideline Safety Zone operating hours.
7. Ensure the enforcement of state alcohol laws related to over-serving alcohol to intoxicated customers, and serving minors.
8. Prohibit selling shots at the Landing.
9. Sponsor other venues where students could be diverted.
356-2466