Salem considers hard liquor sales at Riverfront, Bush's Pasture parks

Jonathan Bach | Statesman Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption WATCH: Oregon State Fair Concert Series Nine "family fun," classic rock and country concerts make up the Oregon State Fair summer concert series lineup, running throughout the fair Aug. 24 to Sept. 3.

Vendors could soon sell hard liquor at events in two major city parks thanks to a proposal coming before the Salem City Council for a first reading Tuesday.

Code changes up for consideration would allow hard liquor sales at Salem's Riverfront Park and Bush's Pasture Park.

With summer inching closer by the day, city staff are recommending councilors approve the ordinance bill, which requires two readings to pass. Councilors could also call for a public hearing on the proposal.

Vendors have long been barred from selling Scotch, vodka and other libations with an alcohol by volume of 14 percent or more at city parks, instead giving customers their choice of less potent drinks like beer and cider.

But in March, Jason and Carroll Unruh of Oregon Beverage Services in Salem requested city officials consider allowing hard alcohol sales at city parks. The company manages alcohol sales at the Oregon State Fair and other events.

The two wrote a letter to Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett saying that allowing hard liquor sales at city parks would add revenue sources and potentially attract sponsorships.

The City Council subsequently asked city staff to look into current code and come back with a recommendation as to whether the hard liquor ban should be lifted.

In a staff report for Tuesday's meeting, city officials say they found "no persuasive arguments" to continue the ban at city-permitted events.

Oregon Beverage Services' Jason Unruh told the Statesman Journal, "We'd obviously like (the ordinance) to pass." He stressed that safety and serving drinks responsibly are the top priorities.

Members of the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board were given a copy of the staff report for their thoughts before their June meeting.

MORE: Salem considers allowing hard liquor sales at city parks

The board didn't take an official stance on the proposal, but six members supported it as individuals and one voiced their opposition, city officials said in the staff report. One member didn't respond.

According to the staff report, one member offered, "The code change should be limited to permits lasting approximately one week or less and should not allow for consecutive weeks, or there should be a limited number of hard alcohol permits."

"All of the events in these two parks that I am aware of that serve alcohol last less than a week except Salem on Ice which is there several months," they said. "I would not want hard liquor served in any Salem park for an extended amount of time."

The council meets Tuesday, instead of Monday, because of the Memorial Day holiday.

MORE: Does Salem need hard alcohol at park events?

Email jbach@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6714 or follow on Twitter @jonathanmbach.