City Eyes Allowing Alcohol in Designated Areas at Events

During Tuesday's Regular Council Meeting, member Barbara Banno brought up the possibility of allowing a "wet area" at special events.

Banno was asked by the Gulfport Merchants Association to bring forward the idea. She asked City Manager Jim O'Reilly if he and the Police Chief could review the possibility.

The wet area would allow alcohol to be served in a designated area, in an area separated from other activities.

Jim O'Reilly said such a plan would likely result in one of two options: allowing consumption in a closed off area or allowing the sell of alcohol in a closed off area.

"What it would be, it'd be an area that the Chief and I would look at to do one or the other," O'Reilly said.

Council member Sam Henderson said he hopes the idea is "something that would benefit existing businesses."

Vice Mayor David Hastings referenced Geckofest and asked, "we could designate the entire street?"

O'Reilly said he and the Chief would look at where the boundaries could be. He added that the City did something similar when they provided the Concerts on the Point. There was a "no alcohol beyond this point" area.

City Attorney Andy Salzman said, "I think it's a great idea and it does help with the liability standpoint."

O'Reilly agreed to look into the idea and bring it back to Council, but added that he will not include the Fourth of July events "because of the length of the day and the number of family-related issues."

It is now illegal to have an open container in public.