House approves beer-at-Bragg Stadium bill

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida House approved Monday a measure allowing beer to be sold at Florida A&M University sporting events. The proposal by Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, extends a downtown district where temporary alcohol licenses are available to Wannish Way, where Bragg Memorial Stadium and the Lawson Center are.

The bill would allow caterers and vendors working with not-for-profit groups like boosters and the Urban League to offer beer and liquor at events. The move could be worth as much as $50,000 to Rattlers' football boosters, according to a House analysis from last year.

The boosters, two years ago, began offering a game day experience in the North End Zone Club. Season ticket holders can pay extra for a buffet and watch the game on a flatscreen television in a climate-controlled tent. They would be able to serve alcohol if the Senate and Gov. Rick Scott signed off on the proposal.

Williams said the bill revises a 2008 law that permits three-day alcohol licenses for a designated part of the downtown district. That district currently starts at Park Avenue and stretches south to Orange Avenue but bypasses Bragg Stadium and the Lawson Center, home of the FAMU basketball team.

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