See the 2/6/03 update of this story ...

Tuscaloosa's Nightlife Faces Changes

Tuscaloosa officials are considering ways to end the University's image as a party school, and an end to late night alcohol sales in restaurants and nightclubs may be coming.

Tuscaloosa County officials and civic leaders think the University of Alabama’s image as a party school may be costing the community millions of dollars in annual revenue.

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama recently released a list of recommendations aimed at increasing the quality of life for all Tuscaloosa County residents. One recommendation that’s gotten the most attention calls for a ban on late night alcohol sales at bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Under the plan, bars would close at 1AM Monday through Thursday, and 2AM on Friday and Saturday. Bars would be allowed to reopen at 6:30 AM, except on Sundays.

Chamber of Commerce president Johnny Aycock says the ban could help bring a more stable social environment to the community, which in turn, could draw more residents and students to the University. Aycock says more students in Tuscaloosa means big business.

“Currently, the University of Alabama’s economic impact in this community on an annual basis is around $785 million dollars. If the University was to grow by two thousand students over the next 6 to 7 years, the economic impact grows to more than $1.1 billion dollars annually."

The numbers make sense to some ... even some older students. But most students also say that closing bars earlier will send the partiers to houses and apartment complexes around the city. Many also did not believe that cleaning up the Capstone's supposed "party image" would draw more students to the school.

“If they think that’s the way to lure more students, then they’re crazy!” said one young student who declined to give their name.

Students have historically always displayed "student-like" behavior, and some say keeping them in a structured environment is socially more responsible. Many of those people are local restaurant and bar owners, who are fighting to survive in a very competitive market.

Randall Holman, a manager at the Jupiter Bar and Grill, is doubtful a late night sales ban would achieve the intended results. He says shutting down late night businesses won't make students change their late night behavior.

“Thursday in a college town is like Friday for students. Lots of them don’t have classes that day and want to go out. If they don’t come to the Strip or downtown, they’ll just go somewhere else. That’s what students do,” said Holman.

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama considered that and other issues when drawing up its list of 12 recommendations. Other parts of the plan to improve Tuscaloosa’s quality of life include mandatory Friday classes for University freshmen and sophomores, increased parental involvement for underage alcohol and drug offenders, academic sanctions for University students who violate alcohol and drug laws, increased support for neighborhood groups, and the encouragement of initiatives to create a more family-friendly campus and community.

See the 2/6/03 update of this story ...

Read what the North Mississippi All Stars had to say about late night Tuscaloosa ...

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