GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The New Year is around the corner and that brings new changes to the open container ordinance in Gainesville.
On January 1, you cannot drink or have open containers of alcohol on public property in the city except two limited locations, said city officials in a news release. They say the only places you can have open containers of alcohol are in the two ‘newly designated’ areas known as the Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) districts. The districts are where patrons can bar hop and hang out outside with alcoholic beverages in hand.
The ACE districts allow you to have open containers on sidewalks, in public parks or other public rights of way daily between the hours of 8 a.m. to midnight.
The district boundaries are Northeast 2nd Avenue to the north, Northeast 3rd Street to the east, Southwest 6th Street to the west, and south to Depot Avenue. The area also includes Bo Diddley Plaza and Depot Park, both of which allow open containers during the same hours.
Gainesville leaders say the boundaries of the ACE districts are intentionally designed to encompass the highest concentration of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.
During COVID, Gainesville enacted a citywide open container ordinance. Bar and restaurant owners voiced concerns that going back to the pre-pandemic open-container ban would hurt their businesses. Creating the entertainment districts was a compromise that balanced public safety concerns and business interests.
“These ACE districts are areas of our town that showcase the incredible arts and culture that Gainesville is famous for,” said Gainesville City Commissioner Bryan Eastman. “Entertainment districts like these are common across Florida, from Mount Dora to West Palm Beach, and give more flexibility for small business owners and artists to use their outdoor areas to create lively, thriving events.”
City officials say they also provided businesses downtown with a lot of frequently asked questions and answers, as well as responded to inquiries during a meeting in early December.
The Gainesville City Commission approved the changes at meetings in September and October of 2023, with the public’s safety in mind.
During early next year, businesses will be provided with maps and window decals to educate the public. City officials say they also plan to install signage to make the boundaries visible and clear.
They city says although the downtown parking garage and some lots are located inside the districts, open containers are not allowed in those areas.
According to the city’s release, Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers can issue civil citations or criminal infractions for those who violate the new ordinance.