Anchorage needs outdoor serving areas, end to alcohol serving hour restrictions

The Anchorage Downtown Partnership is contemplating a closure to vehicle traffic on G Street downtown, between 3rd and 4th and 4th and 5th Avenues, for the summer. I, and owners of other retail outlets involved, favor this action in view of lost revenues caused by the shutdown due to the COVID–19 pandemic.

This “pedestrian promenade” is a common practice in Europe and nationwide. It would beautify the area and encourage public interaction, benefiting retailers, the city and Alaska. The Assembly and various public groups have repeatedly stated their preference for such an attraction.

This action is not for the benefit of a single establishment, but for a variety of businesses, both liquor licensees and nonlicensees. On this section of G Street, there are a variety of types of retail businesses. For instance, there is a pizza parlor, a French pastry shop, an espresso shop, three deli type restaurants, two art galleries and a bar. With curbside eating and drinking areas, a summer-long attraction would add a considerable new and distinctly quaint venue for locals and tourists alike. The social distancing and the variety of retailers would make G Street a center for a new, attractive Anchorage look.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is going to expedite and simplify the cumbersome extension forms to increase the licensed premises onto the closed street. The street closure would probably be a summer-only condition, as winter weather would undermine the concept. This is an attempt to see how the public accepts the idea.

The current pandemic is causing worldwide changes in the public’s response to various traditional behaviors. Alaskans have shown, by their self-quarantine response, that we can act in a responsible manner for the community’s benefit. It can also apply to personal alcohol consumption. The consuming of alcoholic beverages has changed considerably in recent years. No longer the “Roaring ’70s” of the pipeline days. Since alcohol consumption is regulated 24 hours a day, there is no need for restrictions on hours of consumption in licensed premises.

Bartenders and servers are the ones who enforce Title IV laws and regulations. Beverage dispensary licensees (bars) and restaurant/eating place licensees (restaurants) should be able to serve alcohol at any time the owners feel it is responsible and advantageous. Municipal tax revenues would benefit. Bar hours do nothing to restrict alcohol consumption. Airline flights come and go at all hours of the day and night. There is no reason a traveler at the airport should be under restrictive serving hours. Alcohol serving hour restrictions should be eliminated.

If the Anchorage public wants an internationally renowned city, serving changes are needed to be updated to international standards. No longer is it necessary to micromanage the public. We have shown we are responsible adults and should be treated as such. This change has no effect on the chronic inebriates, as they are not allowed admittance, by choice, of the licensees.

I urge Mayor Berkowitz and the Assembly to make the changes outlined above for G Street and to make the long-term changes to again make Alaska and Anchorage a recognized international destination.

Darwin A. Biwer Jr. is the owner of the downtown bar Darwin’s Theory and a board member of the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association (CHARR).

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