Mayor Becker Welcomes New Bar to Downtown, More Could Open Under Proposed Alcohol Reform

08.13.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Mayor Ralph Becker welcomed a new, eco-friendly bar to downtown Salt Lake City this morning. The Green Pig is one of 23 new businesses to open downtown this summer. And Becker says a new ordinance being drafted by the city could encourage more bars to open by removing a longstanding two bar per block limit.

“The whole two thing per block face was established, you know decades ago. If it made sense then, it doesn’t seem to make sense to us today,” Becker says. “So it’s one of the changes we’re doing to really try to normalize our own liquor policies in Salt Lake City, really following the example that was done by the state earlier this year.”

Becker says the ordinance would remove an arbitrary limit and make the city more welcoming and accepting, especially for tourists. He also hopes the legislature considers increasing the number of liquor licensees available to make sure there are enough to accommodate new businesses.

Green Pig owner Bridget Gordon agrees there should be more liquor licenses to keep downtown restaurants, pubs and bars afloat. And she says the mayor is on the right track by wanting to remove the two bar per block limit.

“It’s just like if you look at where fast food is, every fast food place is right next to each other. It promotes more business, so it makes more sense,” Gordon says. “And if you want to try and keep downtown going, then that’s what we’re going to have to do.”

Mayor Becker commended Gordon for her commitment to environmentally-friendly business practices. The bar is applying for an E-2 Business certificate for implementing green programs, such as recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and carpooling. Salt Lake City has certified about 100 E-2 Businesses since the program began in 2004.