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New Port Richey's Long Bottleneck

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2008

The great debate these days in New Port Richey, Pasco County's largest city with just under 17,500 residents, is how to pump life into a downtown with too many empty storefronts. One idea is making a lot of waves.

Several residents, including Mayor Scott McPherson, believe that allowing limited sales of beer and wine at beautiful Sims Park - now prohibited under a city ordinance - will do the trick.

Get real. Reviving a downtown during this sour economy is going to take far more than selling beer and wine at a park.

The proposal won't revitalize downtown but it will help nonprofits.

And there's nothing wrong with allowing charitable groups to sell alcohol at special events as long as tight controls are in place. Several cities in the Tampa Bay region allow organizations to raise money for worthwhile causes by selling alcohol. The policy has caused no major problems and does help attract visitors to special events.

Opponents point to a 2000 referendum in which well over 60 percent of city voters panned a similar proposal. But that was eight years ago - times have changed a bit. For starters, state- and voter-mandated property tax reductions have forced local governments to reduce subsidies to nonprofits, so many nonprofits and organizations need new revenue sources. Restricted sales of beer and wine could help.

Critics also should understand that no one is suggesting the city allow a private vendor to set up a beer wagon or liquor stand at the park throughout the week. Sales only would be allowed at special events, which certainly aren't held every week. And similar sales already are allowed at special events at a smaller park south of Main Street.

With proper controls, including monitoring the days and times of events, there should be no conflict with children at the popular playground. But if organizers cannot comply with reasonable safeguards, the sales proposal should be scrapped. In addition, the city shouldn't look to profit financially, either.

If New Port Richey City Council decides to allow limited sales of alcoholic beverage at Sims Park, that is fine. But city officials should call it what it is: a way to help nonprofits to raise money. It's no economic stimulus package.

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