City council passed an ordinance at city hall on Tuesday, five to one, allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol in certain community parks during special events.
According to the permit required by the ordinance, the event must have a minimum of 1000 people in attendance, insurance, a sponsorship to regulate it, and provide alcohol through a sponsor.
However, it does not allow bringing in alcohol.
“Obviously we want controls in place, but I think it’s a positive,” said Jeff Griffith, the mayor pro-tem for the city.
Griffith said public safety is their top priority in this decision. Alcohol is only allowed during the allotted time of the event.
While it passed, city council said they would create a clear list of parks that are not allowed to host events, as to avoid disturbing any neighborhoods.
“I think if we provide a list of parks not suitable, I think that would take care of a lot of it,” said Jarrett Atkinson, the city manager.
Don Caldwell, owner of Caldwell entertainment, and organizes the Fourth on Broadway event, said this would attract talent and entertainment to the city.
“For promoters bringing entertainment into the city, that’s one of the first things they look at,” Caldwell said. “It kind of puts us on an equal playing field, as far as bringing great entertainment into Lubbock, with the larger markets.”
To hear the full discussion of the meeting, visit their website.
To view the ordianance, click here.
