(Jacksonville, FL)

Pending Ordinance 2005-0467, introduced by Councilwoman Jenkins, would create a downtown entertainment district and permit alcoholic beverages to be sold and served from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day (two hours later than the normal 2:00 a.m. cutoff time) within that district. The purpose of the bill is to promote the vitality of the downtown area and encourage the location of bars and restaurants within the new downtown entertainment district, while at the same time, promoting public safety by confining those establishments that serve alcohol during early morning hours to one concentrated area more easily patrolled by law enforcement.

The Downtown Entertainment District Community Review Committee was asked to study the pending legislation and present its finding and recommendations to Councilwoman Jenkins. The members include: Audrey McKibbin Moran (Chair), president of Moran Mediation and Litigation Group; Frank Mackesy, Undersheriff; Ju'Coby Pittman, president of the Clara White Mission; Bob Rhodes, chair of the Downtown Development Authority; and Jim Bailey, president of Bailey Publishing.

After careful review of pending ordinance 2005-0467, the committee has recommended a sunset provision, a reduction in the size of the entertainment district, strict permitting requirements, and a limit on the days of the week that alcohol sales are extended. The permitting requirements recommended by the committee are similar to those used by the City of Miami for nightclubs and late night entertainment establishments, such as background checks of operators (including penal history, license history to include review of revoked or suspended licenses, and any additional facts relevant to general personal history of the operator) and Bar, Restaurant or Nightclub Business Operation Information (including a Business Plan, Parking Plan, Security Plan, Traffic Circulation Plan, Sanitation Plan and Noise Attenuation Plan.)

'I want to thank the committee and our attorney, Dylan Reingold, for all their hard work and commitment of time and energy to the review of this legislation,' said Councilwoman Jenkins. 'The committee has pointed us in the right direction, and as the City Council works on this bill, we can flesh out these recommendations.'