The Chipley City Council closed their April 5th workshop with the declaration that the old Mongovern Building on 5th Street in downtown Chipley will be coming down.
by Kathy Foster
The structure has been slowly crumbling over the past few years and has reached the point where the public has become concerned with what they have seen as it’s probable eminent collapse. No date was set for taking the building down, but City Attorney Michelle Jordan was directed to start the legal proceedings necessary to get the job accomplished.
Following a lengthy discussion about changing the City’s alcohol ordinance, Jordan was also directed to start gathering information to put together an ordinance that would allow the sale of beer and wine in restaurants where over one-half of the restaurant’s revenue is from the sale of food.
Council members made it clear they were not interested in permitting bottle clubs or private clubs, nor did they want drinking of any alcoholic beverage permitted in any restaurant parking lots.
Public participation in the alcohol ordinance discussion centered on the need to bring more jobs and visitors to the city. Several individuals in attendance were opening a restaurant in Chipley or wanted to open a restaurant in the downtown area.
A Jackson County resident interested in opening a restaurant in the historic downtown area of Chipley said the ability to sell beer or wine would be a major factor in his decision on opening a restaurant. Currently operating a food truck in the Marianna area, the award-winning chef said the restaurant he and wife have planned would be a unique eating establishment and he would expect to draw customers from throughout the Panhandle.
The new owners of KC’s in Chipley also asked the Council’s support in the alcohol ordinance update which they felt would impact their business and attract customers.
Speaking in favor of updating the alcohol ordinance, CRA Director Ted Everett said bringing in restaurants to the downtown area would make a definite difference in the future development of that area. “We need business downtown,” said Everett and then added, “If you don’t plan for tomorrow, you will have the same thing years from now.”
Both the building tear-down and alcohol ordinance are expected to be re-addressed at the Chipley City Council meeting next Tuesday, along with the following issues:
- CDBG Public Hearing
- CDBG Fair Housing Workshop
- Approval of Ordinance No. 950 Amendment to Chapter 19 of the City Utilities
- Approval to Terminate the option to purchase property previously being looked at for the City’s spray field.
- Approval of a Special Event Application for the 2018 Panhandle Watermelon Festival set for June 23rd-24th.