KCCI.com, IA
08-24-06
Beer Garden Issue Draws Criticism
School Leaders Say Beer Should Not Be Focus
AMES, Iowa -- People's Bar and Grill planned to set up a beer garden as part of
the festivities for the city's All-American weekend in early September.
But the Ames City Council said no and there's a controversy brewing over the
decision.
The issue became heated because the council gave the OK for a beer garden at
Olde Main and for another one at restaurant near the mall that same weekend.
Some said that the Campustown bar was denied approval primarily because of
its location and they said that's not fair.
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Organizers still plan to close down part of Welch Avenue for live music and
entertainment, as part of a welcome back event for students on Labor Day
weekend. Those plans will no longer include a beer garden for those students
who are of legal age.
"They're university students that are not of legal drinking age and it's just another
temptation we put in front of them that says, we've got to have this entertainment
event and we've got to have alcohol," said Ames City Councilman Mike Hamilton.
Hamilton voted against a request by People's Bar and Grill for an outdoor beer
garden.
The bar's general manager said they were approached by event organizers
because of their experience handling similar events in Des Moines.
The manager Michael Brown issued a statement saying that City Council's
decision is in direct conflict of efforts to create one community between the city
and the university.
Brown said in his statement that the approval of similar beer gardens at other
venues around the city shows a general distrust for the
Iowa State University student population. He also said he's disappointed to
know certain Ames residents and government officials view of one community
seems to exclude one-half of the population of Ames.
"The council felt that fear outweighed the potential for growth, learning and
relationship-building through this event," said Ames City Councilmember
Matthew Goodman.
Goodman abstained from voting because of personal business interests in the
Campustown area, but said he's disappointed with the decision.
"This is a legal activity. It's a legal activity in this country by people of drinking
age. Some of those people go to the university right across the street from
Campustown so it strikes me when they feel they can't trust those students to act
appropriately," Goodman said.
University leaders said they asked the council to deny the permit on the notion
that beer should not be a focal point of an event for student, especially when
about half of the student body is not of legal drinking age.
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