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Restaurant pays to avoid having view of race blocked

By MARY JANE PARK
Published March 31, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Patrons at two restaurants weren't going to be able to watch the Honda Grand Prix despite being right along the race route.

Race officials, restaurant executives said, took the position that anyone who wanted to watch the race should pay for the experience.

Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant at Central Avenue and Beach Drive negotiated a compromise, paying race officials $3,000 for them not to install a tarpaulin that would block the view, according to one of the owners, Pierre DuMaine.

Patrons now will be able to see some of the race from a spot on the restaurant's terrace, and owners will be permitted to sell some event tickets, DuMaine said.

"It should work out all right," he said.

Sam Martin, owner of Courigan's pub on the ground floor of the Bayfront Tower, said his enterprise has suffered in the weeks since workers began to erect barricades for the race.

"I am all fenced in," he said. "It hurts my business, evenings especially. I usually depend on my nights to pay for my days."

Race officials wanted at least $2,000 not to curtain off the sidewalk next to his restaurant on Beach Drive SE, he said.

"I'm not saying the race is a bad thing. It's good. It brings a lot of publicity for the city," he said.

But "I'm not going to pay to lose money."

Late Friday afternoon, officials still were trying to resolve the issue with both restaurants, said Tip Nunn, spokesman for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

[Last modified March 31, 2007, 01:28:18]