UPDATE 9/8/16: The designation was unanimously approved by City Council September 8 a little after 9pm. The district can now work on planning the first sip and stroll style event. 

The EDGE District has experienced remarkable growth over the last few years. BUYA Ramen, Green Bench, Bodega, Enigma, Genaro's, Hawkers, Red Mesa Mercado, Pizza Box and others have turned the district into one of the most visited in the entire city. Those who head to the EDGE are often there to experience multiple spots. Local businesses owners have worked with the community and city officials for months to create the EDGE Specialty Center, which is a special district designation enabling the area to hold up to nine EDGE District Special Events per year with managed "open container" carry for participants. 

The proposal was first reviewed and approved by the City's Public Services and Infrastructure Committee in March, and approved by City Council on its first read. A public hearing and council vote at City Hall September 8 will determine whether the district is granted the special designation. If passed, this could mean that at an EDGE event you could grab a cocktail at Hawkers or a beer at Green Bench and take it over to Bodega to enjoy with a plate of lechon. Members from the Grand Central District and Deuces Live District have voiced their support for the designation.

""In addition to being a fellow Florida Main Street district, The EDGE District is a strong community partner of ours and we support its continued revitalization." wrote GCDA President Jeff Danner.

"With the new police station being built in our neighborhood, increased law enforcement and crime prevention measures around St Vincent DePaul and Unity Park, an involved neighborhood association, the potential for the development of the Tropicana Field property and other recent real estate transactions in our southwest corner and along the 8th St N/MLK St N corridor, we are very hopeful that our neighborhood will finally be able to share in our beautiful downtown's renaissance." wrote members of the Methodist Town Neighborhood Association Board of Directors.

The special designation falls under Florida state beverage law. Safety measures and regulations must be strictly adhered to by the district. There must be specific event boundaries, event management by the EBDA, a SPPD approved security plan for each event (detailing security personnel, physical barriers, sanitation and signage), and managed beverage containers and vendors. 

A similar proposal was made for Beach Drive years ago that would allow residents to buy a special cup that allowed them to bring drinks from restaurant to restaurant along the foodie strip. Tampa currently has a sip and stroll program on the Riverwalk, which is in full force during their new fourth Friday events.