After many months and even more steps, HB 1009, which decreases regulations on a "bona fide" restaurant's ability to provide full service to the neighbors and visitors of 5 Points passed.
More specifically, it gave smaller restaurants in 5 Points the ability to serve a full bar during dining hours. We would like to thank all involved for their assistance, large or small, in getting this legislation through the process and passed.
Despite the comment trolls' inference on Jacksonville.com's article, this bill passed easily through the House, Senate and was signed by the Governor because of it's economic development potential, it's bi-partisan support (sponsor McBurney (R) and co-sponsor Jones (D)), and it's overwhelming support by the neighborhood businesses, residents and prevailing neighborhood association (RAP). We do not know Gov. Scott nor did we ask special favors from him to sign this bill, but his support did go up 0.000005% with that signature.
This legislation should be one more reason for potential businesses to invest in and become a part of Riverside. We hope it will help 5 Points', part of Jacksonville's Original Town Center, ability to compete with the burgeoning suburban mega centers by promoting infill development and reuse of existing historic structures.
We also hope that it will allow more flexibility to existing restaurants to use the spaces that were once woefully dedicated to the "required seating" use those areas to better benefit their businesses and the neighborhood as a whole.
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