City council OKs agreement for downtown pub

Published 9:44 am Wednesday, August 21, 2019

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The new family-friendly pub in the old Coca Cola plant is a go.

The Andalusia City Council voted in favor of an agreement with Kyle and Kim Baumgartner last night.

Hazel Griffin voted against and Will Sconiers abstained.

As part of the agreement, the city would sell the building for $145,000 to the couple.

The city will replace the roof and assist with demolition up to $150,000.

After one year, the couple will make monthly payments to the city.

The Baumgartners plan to open a family-friendly venue that will serve beer and wine as well as have games and snacks.

No liquor will be served at the venue.

Public comment was welcomed before the vote on Tuesday night

Resident Ziba Anderson spoke against the business.

He said he and his wife Pennye were very concerned about what the city was doing.

“I do not drink. Never have and I don’t plan to start,” he said. “I’m sure Pennye and I are in the minority. We want what’s best for Andalusia. This city has been good to us.”

Anderson said he had seen very few that alcohol had helped and plenty that alcohol had hurt.

Anderson said that since the city had a part in the business, that the citizens of Andalusia had a place in it.

“There’s nothing I can do about it,” he said. “You all will vote for it. I have talked before about the city being in the real estate business, and I don’t think it should be.”

Buster Boyd also spoke to the council.

He said that the council couldn’t let private problems determine public policy.

He said his family, too, had experienced alcoholism.

“I’m for beer and wine,” he said.