A number of sweeping reforms to Michigan's beer, wine and liquor laws are making their way through the state's legislature, carrying with them possible ramifications for Traverse City's burgeoning beverage scene. Here's a look at what might be in the works, as well as a local proposal for beer and wine sales in downtown Traverse City's Clinch Park.

Beer and Wine at The River?
“Imagine parking downtown, walking through the Clinch Park tunnel, seeing an evening matinee at the Bijou (by the Bay), and then sharing a bottle of wine in the park while watching the sun set over the lake.” That's the scenario proposed by Michael Sutherland, owner of The River at Clinch Park, who is exploring the potential with city leadership of local wine and beer sales in the park.

The idea is one conceived and supported by city planning director Russ Soyring. Sutherland, who is negotiating a contract with the city for his fifth year of operations in 2014, pays the city 15 percent of his gross sales each summer. That arrangement amounted to over $21,000 in city revenues in 2013 – funds Soyring notes could significantly expand with alcohol sales.

“I did raise this idea...of having a drink cart or area cordoned off that would have glasses of local wine and beer, with the idea that each drink would generate dollars for the maintenance of Clinch Park,” Soyring says. “We'll have higher maintenance costs with the splash pad and gardens down there, so I was thinking of ways we might be able to raise additional (funds).”

Sutherland acknowledges the idea contains a “lot of moving parts” and could face resistance from some city officials. “It's a huge responsibility to serve alcohol as a vendor,” he says. “If we did it, we'd be very selective with our menu and would only serve during restricted hours. But if it worked out...it'd be one of the greatest places in the Midwest to enjoy a glass of wine or beer.”

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Lauren Vaughn notes many city parks allow beer and wine, though hard liquor is prohibited. For The River to sell alcohol at Clinch, the city ordinance would need to be amended and discussion and approvals would have to take place at both the Parks & Recreation and City Commission levels. “We are just in preliminary discussion about (the issue right now),” Vaughn says.

Package of Michigan Alcohol Bills Moves Forward
Meanwhile, several bills that relax regulations on Michigan's alcohol industry were passed by the Michigan House last week and are now on their way to the state Senate. They include:
HB 5046 – Allows Michigan bars and restaurants with liquor licenses to permit patrons to bring in their own bottles of wine. Such establishments could also set their own corkage fees.
HB 4709 – Increases the barrel threshold from 30,000 to 60,000 barrels for micro brewers in the state.
HB 4710 – Allows brewpubs to have an interest in multiple other brewpubs, if combined production didn't exceed 18,000 barrels of beer per year.
HB 4711 – Allows brewers to sell their beer for on-premises consumption at two brewery locations instead of one.

The Michigan Senate also passed a handful of bills last week containing alcohol regulations, including SB 505, which allows retailers to purchase and serve from glassware featuring alcohol brand logos (logoed glassware was previously banned), and SB 650 and 651, which allow small brewers producing under 1,000 barrels a year to self-distribute in areas where they don't already have an exclusive distribution relationship.

A Senate bill (SB 247) to allow state bars and restaurants in central business districts to remain open until 4 a.m. was also introduced in March and is expected to be taken up again in coming weeks. That proposal has drawn criticism from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Alcohol Policy Promoting Health and Safety, though some state officials have said it could help make Michigan's nightlife scene more competitive with neighboring states.