FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - The public comment period on a plan to allow beer and wine sales in parts of the University of Arkansas’ Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be delayed because of incomplete paperwork, according to state officials.
The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division said Sodexo, which is the company applying to sell beer and wine at the stadium, must resubmit its request with additional information before public comment can begin.
“It’s extremely common,” said Mary Robin Casteel, a staff attorney with the division. “It’s just an unfamiliar process for people, and so it’s not unusual at all that something’s missing.”
Once an application is received and deemed complete, an applicant is sent a notice that must be posted for 30 days. This allows for an open comment period and time for an Alcoholic Beverage Control Division enforcement officer to inspect the site, Casteel said.
The University of Arkansas announced a plan in February to allow the sale of beer and wine in the club-seating areas of the stadium. UA athletic department spokesman Kevin Trainor said the university still plans to allow beer and wine sales beginning with the 2014 football season, pending state approval. The Razorbacks’ first home game is Sept. 6 against Nicholls State.
The Southeastern Conference prohibits the sale of alcohol generally at facilities except for “private, leased areas in the facility and other areas designated by the SEC.” Officials said the alcohol policy will likely come up at the SEC’s annual spring meeting later this month.
“Arkansas will participate in those discussions,” Trainor said, adding that serving wine and beer next season “in club areas is already permissible per the current policy and is already in place at a number of other SEC institutions.”
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Wednesday (https://bit.ly/RmYWGy ) that UA’s agreement with Sodexo calls for the university to receive 40 percent of alcoholic beverage net sales.
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, https://www.arkansasonline.com
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