No More Outside Seating at the Swigwam
The St. Pete Beach City Commission voted 3-2 against allowing the Swigwam to retain it's outdoor seating.
People who enjoy sitting out in front of the Swigwam to enjoy a drink only have 30 more days to do it.
The St. Pete Beach City Commission voted 3-2 on Tuesday to rescind the outdoor rights given to the Swigwam on Corey Avenue.
The call for a vote was brought up two weeks ago in the last city council meeting as a non-agenda topic. The commission posed that the outdoor seating provided a intimidating atmosphere and a public safety issue.
“I've talked to a lot of people who are intimidated going by there,” said Beverly Garnett, District 4 Commissioner.
Mayor Steve McFarlin put the issue to a vote to a divided city commission at Tuesday’s meeting.
“I've never seen a problem. To rescind (the sidewalk use), seems harsh,” said vice- mayor Marvin Shavian.
The Swigwam was originally allowed to use the seating when they first moved to Corey Avenue two years ago.
“What we did was bring bar room activity on the streets,” McFarlin said.
Rob Williams, owner of the Swigwam, was at the meeting and presented information supporting his business area, including photo comparisons of other businesses with outdoor seating.
Williams also said there were rarely anyone causing any sort of bar room activity outside of the Swigwam during the daylight hours.
“We offer a laid-back atmosphere. It's not crazy,” Williams said.
Williams offered up a poll that he took of the Corey Avenue businesses that numbered to two to one in favor of the Swigwam.
I think (the Swigwam) is exactly what Corey Avenue needs,” Williams.
McFarlin reasoned that Williams might gain business by keeping his customers inside the bar.
"I don't think what we're going to do is going to hurt you financially," McFarlin said to Williams.
Williams offered to turn the chairs to the side to so they wouldn’t be facing the street, but the Commission said the vote was set to happen.
"We tried something for you. You should be grateful for that," McFarlin said.
Before the vote occurred, audience members at the meeting tried to speak and were told by McFarlin that the issue was not up for public discussion.
The Swigwam has 30 days before the chairs have to be removed from Corey Avenue.
Corey Crime
9:04 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
It took the City of St. Pete Beach a long time, (2+ years / one election cycle), to correct the nasty and unsafe "situation" outside of the Swigwam Bar on Corey Ave., but, they finally did it.
Recently the City took the proper actions to clean up the area and give the PUBLIC sidewalk back to the PUBLIC for their free, clear and safe use. Consumption of alcohol will now be contained INSIDE the bar where it is LEGAL and can be MONITORED, and not allowed out on the public sidewalk or walking or driving down the street.
Ousted former Commissioner Al Halpern's reckless, (blind), support of this unsavory and at many times ILLEGAL activity was very dangerous as you can easily imagine the UNMONITORED selling of alcohol would be.
With 11,000 deaths in the U.S. every year from drunk driving, it was only a matter of time before the unmonitored outside consumption of alcohol or the irresponsible "drinks to go" activities would have resulted in real tragedy.
Thank you Mayor McFarlin and Commissioner Huhn for seeing this issue for what it was and for standing up for what is right.
Your courage in the face of numerous nasty attacks has not gone unnoticed by the business owners, citizens and visitors to Corey Ave.
You have cleaned up the historic business district and quite possibly saved some lives. You are to be commended!