Downtown Largo could soon become an entertainment district where visitors can carry alcoholic beverages between participating restaurants, bars and public gathering spaces as the city works to make West Bay Drive a destination for dining, shopping and events.
The proposal would establish the West Bay Drive Downtown Entertainment District, allowing participating businesses to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption throughout designated public areas while expanding opportunities for outdoor dining, live music, festivals and community events.
The proposal follows several years of public and private investment along West Bay Drive, where new housing, office space and businesses have reshaped Largo’s downtown.
Horizon West Bay, the city’s largest mixed-use redevelopment project, is expected to anchor the downtown district with restaurants, retail space, gathering areas and structured parking, while the city has assembled a new economic development team to recruit additional businesses and support future investment.
Under the ordinance, alcoholic beverages would be served in city-approved containers holding no more than 16 ounces for consumption within designated open-alcohol zones. Patrons could possess up to two drinks at a time, provided they remain inside the zone where the beverages were purchased.
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Open-container hours would generally run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until midnight Thursday through Saturday and legal holidays, with longer hours available during approved special events.
The proposed district would encompass most of Largo’s downtown redevelopment area surrounding West Bay Drive, generally stretching between Clearwater-Largo Road and Alternate U.S. 19, and include Horizon West Bay and Ulmer Park.
Within those boundaries, the city manager would have authority to establish individual open-alcohol zones, while the City Commission would retain authority over the district’s overall boundaries.
Restaurants, bars and event organizers also would gain greater flexibility to host outdoor entertainment under a separate set of standards created specifically for the district. Outdoor performances would generally be permitted until 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until midnight Thursday through Saturday and on legal holidays, with live entertainment allowed up to 95 decibels during those hours, when measured at the nearest residential property line.
Farmers’ markets, artistic performances, sporting events and other organized community events also would be permitted through the city’s existing event approval process.
The Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board is scheduled to consider the proposal Monday before forwarding a recommendation to the Largo City Commission, which would decide whether to establish the entertainment district.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source tbbwmag.com ’
