KISSIMMEE, Fla – The city of Kissimmee is contemplating a change to its last call for alcohol sales due to safety concerns.
On Tuesday, the city held a workshop to gather suggestions on how the city’s nightlife can coexist with its growing downtown population. The event attracted a full house, with many eager to speak directly to commissioners.
The workshop focused on potential changes to two ordinances: street closure permits and alcohol sales.
Mayor Jackie Espinosa emphasized the importance of constructive feedback.
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“Give us suggestions to how we can all make it a wonderful city to live in,” she said. “If all you’re coming to do is complain, that’s not going to resolve anything.”
Currently, the city has a six-month moratorium on special event permits with street closures downtown. City staff recommended changes to ensure the application process is clear and concise. As for alcohol, businesses can serve it until 2 a.m., but changes are being considered due to increased noise complaints and crime.
“Let me be clear, one shooting is way too much,” one woman told the commission.
However, not everyone is in favor of these changes.
“This would be a humongous impact on my business which is going to cause the closure of my business,” one business owner told the commission during the workshop.
Olga Cariño, CEO of Cariño’s Cafe, believes the ordinance could negatively impact the city’s economy.
“It’s not only the restaurants that are going to be affected. Hotels, stores, every venue over here [will be],” Cariño said. “If you put regulation on people’s time and hours, the people are going to [take] their money to other places. If the concern is public safety, we need more police presence in downtown.”
Others, like Jeremy Fetzer, stressed the need for action, citing five shootings in downtown Kissimmee since 2022.
“What is the cost of inaction? It’s costing business owners already,” Fetzer told commissioners.
The next step involves city staff drafting proposals based on today’s feedback and the research they conducted on how other Central Florida cities handle similar issues.
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