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Expanded Alcohol Sales OK'd For Busch Gardens

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2007

TAMPA - The city council gave final approval Thursday to a plan allowing Busch Gardens and Adventure Island to expand alcohol sales.

The theme parks will be allowed to sell beer, wine and liquor at special events, defined as government, corporate, convention, fundraising, performing arts and cultural events. Beer, wine and liquor also can now be sold at receptions held at the park for invited guests only. The measure is effective immediately.

The council voted 5-0 to approve the plan. Council members John Dingfelder and Mary Mulhern were absent from Thursday's meeting. They were attending a transportation conference in South Florida.

Initially, Busch Gardens' proposal would have given the theme parks permission to sell alcohol with few restrictions. But after community and council protests, the theme park scaled back.
Liquor sales will not be permitted after 11 p.m. Beer and wine sales will not be permitted after 1 a.m.

"The park would continue to remain family friendly," said Grace Yang, the attorney representing the theme parks.

Terry Neal, president of the nearby Temple Crest Civic Association, told the council many of his neighbors wanted to oppose the request.

But he said he realizes the council looked for a compromise, and the concessions Busch Gardens made are reasonable.

The Busch Gardens request had a different outcome than a request several months ago to expand alcohol sales at Raymond James Stadium.

The council denied that proposal, concerned that increased alcohol sales throughout the stadium would lead to more alcohol-related incidents.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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