A new bill proposed by Jacksonville City Council member Raul Arias aimed to expand outdoor dining and drinking options throughout downtown Jacksonville. It’s a move he hoped would transform the area’s entertainment landscape.

The legislation would modify existing rules to allow restaurants, cafés, and bars across all of downtown Jacksonville to offer sidewalk dining and alcohol service, expanding beyond the current limitation to the E-Town area.

“If we’re going to be talking about how we’re a world-class city, one of the best cities in the nation or in Florida at least - we have to act like it,” said Arias, who represents District 11. “Our downtown, our urban core, is our most critical need right now.”

The expanded outdoor dining privileges would come with specific requirements through

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