Zoo seeks OK to sell more booze

Grab a beer and watch the elephants romp around the wildlife preserve.

That's a possibility under a proposal from Lowry Park Zoo to expand alcohol sales and consumption to every corner of the sprawling 56-acre central Tampa tourist attraction.

Alcoholic beverages currently are only available at certain food stands and restaurants in an area covering roughly half of the zoo property, including a portion of the parking lot.

Zoo officials have applied to the city's land development coordination office seeking permission to expand its permit to include alcohol sales throughout the park.

Lowry Park spokeswoman Rachael Nelson said the changes would allow the park to serve alcohol at fundraisers and special events in areas that currently are off-limits. She said zoo officials are not seeking to increase alcohol sales, which account for less than 5 percent of the nonprofit organization's food and beverage revenue.

"We're not planning to change the way we do business," she said. "We simply want the flexibility to host private events like weddings and bar mitzvahs throughout the park."

Nelson said the park has expanded, adding new attractions and restaurants, and areas not covered by the permit haven't been updated to reflect those changes.

Because the request would allow alcohol sales within 1,000 feet of several churches, which is prohibited under city code, the zoo must get approval from the city council.

Councilman John Dingfelder said he doesn't have a problem with the zoo's request as long as the permit expansion is tied to the current use of the property.

"So that if they sell the property and change the use, the permit goes away," he said.

Two years ago, the council approved a similar request from Busch Gardens to expand alcohol sales but imposed a series of tough restrictions on sales and consumption.

The conditions included restricting beer, wine and liquor sales to receptions held at the park and limiting the hours that alcohol can be sold and consumed at the theme park.

"We'll likely have to look at similar restrictions," said Council Chairman Tom Scott.

Busch Gardens' request had a different outcome than an effort to expand alcohol sales at Raymond James Stadium a few months before. The council rejected that proposal, concerned it would lead to more alcohol-related incidents.

Lowry Park's request is expected to be heard in early February.