Oviedo on the Park’s open container plans come into focus

Following the Florida House’s passing of an Oviedo arts and entertainment district, which would allow for an open container area during specific events at Oviedo on the Park, Oviedo City Council began digging into the details for how it would be enacted.

At its April 28 work session, council members were shown a draft ordinance by Assistant City Manager Patrick Kelly, laying out further details for how the district would be implemented if passed by the Senate, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by the Oviedo City Council.

The ordinance states its purpose as providing “new opportunities for equitable community participation in the local economy by encouraging private establishments within the Oviedo Arts and Entertainment District to participate in local events and festivals and complement the use of public facilities.”

It would allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages on city streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, city-owned buildings and other public property owned or controlled by the city. The alcohol would be allowed to be consumed using a 16-ounce white plastic reusable cup, also known as a stadium cup, with a still-to-be-approved logo on it. Establishments may have the opportunity to add their own logo to the cups as well.

Establishments would need to purchase the cups, which are expected to cost between 47 and 67 cents each, depending on quantity, Kelly said. 

A mock-up of the stadium cup that would be used for allowing open alcoholic beverages at events at Oviedo on the Park (design provided by City of Oviedo)

Having a reusable cup is also intended to cut down on potential waste, Kelly said. 

People will not be allowed to be in possession of more than two open alcoholic drinks at a time, establishments would not be able to sell more than two beverages to one person at a time and consumption or possession in city-owned parking lots not being used as part of an event space would be prohibited.  

The original map for the district encompassed a peninsula-shaped area from East Mitchell Hammock Road, up Oviedo Boulevard, just before the Oviedo Gymnasium/Aquatic Facility, down Windy Pine Way and Boardwalk Avenue, just around Gators Dockside and back to Mitchell Hammock.

At the work session, however, council members asked for those borders to be tightened. In response, Kelly’s adjusted map, which he said still may be modified, significantly shrunk the area for the district during events.

The map on the left shows the original borders for the arts and entertainment district, while the map on the right is the current, smaller borders encompassing the Oviedo on the Park area. (Maps provided by City of Oviedo)

Establishments inside of the borders that choose to participate will be issued new licenses to allow for off-premises consumption, Kelly said. The city’s ordinance would stipulate how it is regulated inside of the district.

Randy Perry, owner of The Crazy Cork Wine Bar at Oviedo on the Park, expressed concerns about patrons entering the business with a spirits cocktail, when he does not have a liquor license.

“I could lose my [beer and wine] license if an agent from the state showed up and said, ‘Well, you’ve got alcohol in here,’” he said.

Kelly said that in his initial review of Florida Statutes, “they do not specifically address entering an establishment. In further discussions with [the Florida Division of Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco] … they clarified that this is permitted as long as the establishment is located in the Arts and Entertainment District. However, it’s important to note that establishments have the right to refuse service to anyone who enters.”

Mount Dora created an entertainment district with an open container ordinance in 2018, while Gainesville implemented its “Sip & Stroll Area” in 2024.

The next steps for the city are having the Public Arts Board develop ideas for the district’s official logo, before going back to the council at another work session, a public hearing and official approval by City Council.