MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – The hot, no-obligation ballot vote to reset the last call from Miami Beach to 2 a.m. was accepted by 13 points on Tuesday.
The referendum was voted on in response to increasingly louder crowds and public drinking in the South Beach entertainment district, where tension has been bubbling for years as the party crowds grew from a few weekends to a year-round presence. It worsened during the pandemic when city officials closed the main drag to vehicles and allowed restaurants to offer more outdoor seating along Ocean Drive.
CONTINUE READING: Democratic primary replaces Rep Hastings too close to call; Jason Mariner wins Republican primary
Mayor Dan Gelber, who was re-elected Tuesday, supported the 2 a.m. shutdown. He declared victory for both campaigns.
“I accepted battles other than my re-election, I accepted the 2am topic because I thought it was important for the city,” explained Gelber. “This is what our residents want”
He called the earlier restriction on alcohol sales a first step in repositioning the entertainment district of South Beach as “living, working, playing” with new living, office and cultural spaces.
CONTINUE READING: Weather in Miami: dry start with showers in front of the cold front
City commissioners approved a temporary restriction on early morning alcohol sales in South Beach last summer. Now city officials have to work out laws to codify the referendum. Gelber said he expected commissioners to support such measures now that voters have spoken.
However, exceptions are possible. Gelber said he was open to allowing larger hotels with security guards to continue serving alcohol until 5 a.m.
Critics said the earlier lockdown would cost the city millions without stopping crime.
Resident Mario Trejo, who has been a bartender in town for 15 years, said, “It won’t be good for business, not good for residents, not good for the people of Miami Beach.”
MORE NEWS: Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children is launched, but many parents are still hesitant
Citizens for a Safe Miami Beach, the group that turned down the last call at 2 a.m. responded in defeat. “Citizens for a Safe Miami Beach will continue to oppose solutions that do nothing to solve crime, but cost 4,100 local workers their jobs, raise property taxes, and cut tens of millions of dollars from city revenues.”
Comments are closed.