NEW PORT RICHEY — The city is poised to cut the red tape for bars, restaurants and nonprofit groups looking to serve alcohol during downtown events.
For months, the New Port Richey City Council has been debating changes to its ordinance regulating alcohol consumption on city property. During a work session last week, the council settled on a final draft of a revised ordinance that would open up the party in Railroad Square, the city’s downtown hub on Nebraska Avenue that the council has long envisioned as a premier spot for special events.
The new ordinance, which the council is slated to vote on next month, would allow for alcohol in Railroad Square without anyone having to obtain a special event permit, which normally outlines where alcohol will flow during a particular event. Instead, an entity would be able to serve alcohol there at the discretion of the city manager, who would have to receive 30 days’ notice from an applicant.