Title
Gainesville Responsible Hospitality Partnership (B)
Explanation
Hospitality is a valued and important aspect of the social and cultural activities for visitors and residents in many communities. In Gainesville, the local hospitality industry of restaurants, hotels, bars, and nightclubs is a major contributor to the economy. There are over 30 bars located in the Downtown CRA district and more than a dozen bars located along University Avenue in CPUH. These businesses have a strong impact on the community. They contribute to the vitality and liveliness of the Downtown and College Park/University Heights districts, and are credited with keeping "feet on the street" during evenings and weekends. However, due to the nature of products and services provided by the hospitality industry, both hosts and guests share a responsibility in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of patrons as well as the surrounding community. The CRA aims to foster healthy and vibrant urban neighborhoods, and therefore also has a vested interest in supporting responsible hospitality. Successful redevelopment occurs not only through enhancing a district's physical environment, but also in improving the general perception conveyed by that place. Promoting responsible hospitality helps the CRA achieve both these goals and helps encourage increased investment and redevelopment in hospitality zones and the surrounding community.
In recognition of the issues and challenges inherent with hospitality districts, local business owners, with support from the CRA, the City, the University of Florida, and citizen leaders, have formed the Gainesville Responsible Hospitality Partnership (GRHP). CRA staff provides coordination and support to this voluntary coalition of local hospitality businesses. The group also includes representatives from other affected groups such as GPD, the UF student body, UF faculty and staff, and City and CRA representatives. GRHP business members include 17 bars and restaurants: The Swamp Restaurant, Calico Jacks, Gator City, XS, Grog House, The Copper Monkey, Fat Tuesday, Market Street Pub, Bar One, That Bar, Jewells, JP Gators, The Bank, Rue Bar, Mojitos, 8 Seconds, and Speakeasy. These members constitute a little less than half of the Midtown bars and 1/3 of the Downtown bars. In addition to these businesses, membership also includes INsite Magazine, Burkhardt Sales & Services (a local Budweiser distributor), and Scan Technology (manufacturer of ID verification devices.) GRHP members aim to foster an atmosphere within Gainesville's hospitality districts that is safe and inviting. The group strives to provide support to the hospitality industry as well as the surrounding community so that everyone can enjoy and benefit from the activity that these businesses contribute to Downtown and Midtown. Additionally, an important tie-in to this mission relates to public health and safety. GRHP members have pledged to be proactive in efforts to create a safe, respectful environment in Gainesville's hospitality zones. GRHP is a self-regulating body, and if any member establishment accumulates more than 12 arrests for underage drinking within a 3-month period, GRHP membership will be terminated. A business may regain membership eligibility after a 3-month period in which no more than 12 arrests for possession under 21 are accrued.
The Partnership is comprised of a diverse group of businesses, and as such, membership duties are structured to be flexible and convenient in order to accommodate the often unconventional schedules of workers in the hospitality industry. Membership is free of charge and the group holds monthly meetings where attendance is strongly encouraged, though not mandatory. The only requirement for GRHP members is adherence to responsible hospitality practices and compliance with the Gainesville Responsible Vendor Covenant, In order to join GRHP, a bar, restaurant, nightclub, hotel or other hospitality-related business would simply need to sign the Responsible Vendor Covenant (attached as backup). The covenant is very straightforward; the policies described in the document are likely already practiced by responsible members of the hospitality community. Businesses who sign the covenant agree to follow all laws related to the sale and consumption of alcohol: members will not serve alcohol to anyone who is under the age of 21 or who is already visibly intoxicated. Members will create an atmosphere that is in enjoyable for their patrons, and that facilitates positive and respectful social interaction. Businesses will promote or provide responsible beverage service training to their employees and will maintain control of the environment within their establishment (GRHP and GPD provide such training every fall.) Whenever possible, members will also offer low-alcohol content drink options, provide food, and encourage the consumption of food along with alcoholic beverages. Members will also offer low/no-cost non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers.
Members receive a window decal affirming GRHP affiliation, so that patrons and community members can recognize which businesses support responsible hospitality goals. Members will also benefit from special notice in INsite Magazine, which has promised to identify all GRHP members, as well as free advertising in the form of GRHP publicity campaigns. However, probably the biggest incentive to join is related to GRHP's partnership with UF student groups. The UF Greek community has pledged support for GRHP, promising to host official events only at GRHP establishments. Included in the agenda backup is a letter of support from last year's Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council presidents. GRHP is currently in the process of receiving feedback from these student partners in order to update the Greek support letter with signatures from the new officers. GRHP is also working with other Greek groups on campus, and soon hopes to have the support of non-PH/IFC Greek organizations as well. Additionally, UF Student Government has also expressed support for GRHP.
The Responsible Hospitality Partnership has made substantial progress in recent months. Recently, along with GPD, GRHP hosted a nationally broadcasted webinar highlighting the innovative, nontraditional techniques used to fight crime and promote safety within the Downtown and College Park/University Heights hospitality zones. The webinar was a big success and was well attended by a diverse group of participants from around the world. In addition to such efforts, GRHP has also been working to increase local awareness of GRHP and to sign new members. Thanks to hardworking intern Ashley Arthur, a UF graduate student studying public health and high-risk drinking, GRHP membership is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Ashley has done a lot of footwork at all hours of the day and night visiting bars and restaurants many times over in an attempt to sign new members. Her main obstacle has been reaching the correct owner or manager at each establishment. Often these businesses keep unconventional hours and it has been very difficult to make contact and get GRHP information to upper-level management. Thanks to GPD assistance, Ashley has been able to make her rounds with GPD officers as they patrol during the late-night bar hours. This strategy has increased her opportunities to make contact with owners and managers, and also helps her avoid paying cover charges as she visits different establishments on GRHP business. In the coming weeks, Ashley may also be joined by UF fraternity brothers as she visits businesses to solicit new GRHP members. These students want to show local businesses that they support the goals of GRHP.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
Executive Director to the CRA: Hear presentation from Staff.