The Downtown Investment Authority board of directors unanimously approved a proposal Oct. 18 to allow open consumption of alcoholic beverages along the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks.
Resolution 2023-10-06 now will be considered by City Council, which may enact legislation to authorize the plan.
DIA supports creating a “Jacksonville Riverwalk Specialty Center,” comprising the Northbank and Southside Riverwalks together with adjoining public and private property and adjacent businesses, to permit open-container alcohol consumption along the St. Johns River Downtown.
State law authorizes creation of specialty centers where open containers and consumption of alcohol are allowed adjacent to navigable waterways.
In Jacksonville, the specialty center on the Northbank would be between the Riverside Arts Market and the Sports Complex. On the Southbank, the center would be between the Fuller Warren Bridge and the RiversEdge development under construction east of the Duval County Public Schools headquarters.
The specialty center authorization is subject to conditions:
• Alcoholic beverages may be sold by vendors licensed by the state to serve alcohol and consumed only in approved containers, specifically a plastic cup that bears the Jacksonville Riverwalk Logo, is no larger than 16 ounces and is approved by the city for sale and use in the Jacksonville Riverwalk Specialty Center.
• Possession would be limited to no more than two approved containers per person.
• Open containers would not be allowed in nearby public parks unless a special event permit allowing alcoholic beverages is issued for an event by the city.
• Open containers of alcoholic beverages purchased outside the specialty center would not be allowed.
Enforcement of the open-container rules in the specialty center would be conducted by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The resolution states that the strategic objective behind creating the specialty centers is to “support the expansion, renovation and improvement of existing and creation of new, diverse civic attractions, cultural venues, theaters and parks that provide a mix of activities and attract a broad range of demographics.”