Council considers expansion of beer garden at city festivals

By R. Mason Callejas

The Maricopa City Council is considering an expansion of allocated space for beer sales and consumption at city festivals after hearing a proposal during their work session on Sept. 20.

Special Events Manager Niesha Whitman presented arguments for a larger beer garden during city sponsored festivals at Copper Sky Regional Park. The city has a contract with the local restaurant Native Grill & Wings to serve beer at the events. Though the company doesn’t always turn a profit on their investment in the events, the city still receives 25 percent of overall sales.

Whitman suggested that by allowing a larger area to mingle and roam, event goers will be more likely to partake in the libations, thus increasing the city’s cash take from these events.

“This [the expansion] could potentially increase revenue for the city,” Whitman said, “because we will have increased alcohol sales.”

Expanding the beer garden, however, would require an initial investment from the city. The city would need to purchase 3,000 linear feet of fencing at a cost of $20,565.68 to comply with an ordinance that prohibits “public” consumption of alcohol. By fencing off the events, the city is also able to tally a more accurate headcount for attendance at the events.

A more modest proposal of only 2,100 linear feet of fence was also made. However, exact cost was not discussed. Councilmembers Vincent Manfredi and Nancy Smith supported the smaller proposition which, though still much larger than the previous beer garden, would allow for more “family friendly” space at the festivals.

According to Whitman’s presentation, renting the fence would cost the city about $3,500 per event, thus with more than four events a year the fence would theoretically pay for itself after only two years of use. The temporary fence also has the added benefit of being used for any number of other city events in Copper Sky or elsewhere.

Possible $1 beer garden entry fees were discussed along with the idea of drink tickets.

Though nothing was approved the idea of the expansion seemed to garner unanimous support and is likely to move forward.