Explanation
Background: This ordinance is to amend Section 919.13 of the Columbus City Code to grant the Director of Recreation and Parks the authority to set policy and guidelines for the sale, service and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages at select park facilities.
In 2005 the department introduced legislation to allow the Director to set policy and guidelines for the sale, service and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages at events held at the Cultural Arts Center, enclosed shelter houses, and downtown riverfront event facilities.
In reviewing City Code Section 919.13 we realize that a few modifications are needed to correct grammatical errors, and address changes that have occurred over the last decade:
- Removal of the Santa Maria and redevelopment of downtown parks
- Recognition of Berliner Park as a premiere national tournament facility ($60 million in economic impact)
- The City's creation of a Downtown District as defined in City Code Section 3359.03 and the departments desire to identify parks as “parkland” as noted in Section 3318.01.
- Consolidation of parcels containing the King Arts Complex and Mayme Moore Park by City Real Estate Division
- Recognition of an increase in popularity of certain downtown parks as neighborhood cultural centers such as Schiller Park, Goodale Park, Topiary Park, Frank Fetch Park and Harrison Park.
Previous department policy defined Downtown Riverfront Event facilities as falling within the boundaries of Buttles Avenue on the north, Main Street on the south, Third Street on the east and Neil Avenue/Belle Street on west. The department extended authorization for alcoholic beverages to the Topiary Park, Schiller Park, Mayme Moore Park and Berliner Park on limited occasions under a policy defining them as “facilities”.
The department seeks to formally recognize the City's goal of developing vibrant neighborhoods by accommodating community celebrations and cultural programs, and to benefit from the direct f...
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