City council expands area where cocktails can be consumed

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville City Council, as expected, Tuesday cleared the way for people to enjoy a cocktail at restaurants anywhere in town.

The action is meant to help restaurants in other parts of town compete with downtown sidewalk cafes, without requiring large up front financial investments. City Marshal Chuck Smith said all the amendment does is remove the requirement for a cover over a patio where the drinks are consumed.

"I think that our sidewalk cafes are a tremendous asset that we have down on the square," said Councilman Mark Musselwhite earlier this month. "If you are outside the downtown area, you have to build a structure for the same benefit, but it costs you money, and it just needs to be a level playing field."

He said at the time the amendment will not impact the sidewalk cafes.

"We're not taking away, at all, the downtown sidewalk cafes. Some folks have been confused with that, but that is not an option; that's not what's being done, not even being discussed but it's trying to give the others the opportunity to have something like the great success of the downtown sidewalk cafes."

The measure is also intended to help accommodate smokers who wish to drink.

"It would give folks the opportunity, if they did want to have their beverage and to go outside and be able to smoke their cigarette," he said, "What happens now is they would have to leave their table and walk outside. It's been brought to my attention by several folks that it needs to be tweaked."