Oxford Board Allows Rooftop Bar

By Errol Castens
Daily Journal Oxford Bureau

OXFORD - City aldermen tentatively approved plans Tuesday for a rooftop bar on a Tex-Mex restaurant proposed for one of the few vacant buildings downtown.


Approving a motion by Ward 6 Alderman Jon Fisher, the vote to license the use of city air space for a fire escape is contingent on the developers' satisfying the city's building and legal professionals regarding safety and security.


Restaurateur Jim Bulian, whose Old Venice Pizza Company is next door, had proposed opening the restaurant and bar in the old Denton Furniture building, which had most recently been the home of Off Square Books.


No existing ordinance would prohibit the rooftop bar, but Bulian's representative said the project's viability required being able to use city air space for a rooftop fire escape. Putting an emergency egress inside the building would eliminate 20 to 32 seats, said architect Corey Alger, each worth an estimated $10,000 in revenue annually.


The decision came after several weeks of agonizing over the safety of a rooftop bar, unauthorized entry via the fire escape and even discouragement at having yet another bar open while Oxford and the University of Mississippi work to overcome what has been termed "a culture of alcohol."


"I wish we didn't have a rooftop bar É but since other people are doing it, it's hard to single you out," said Ward 1 Alderman Pat Patterson.


Mayor Richard Howorth has openly opposed the exception for Bulian's project.


"If we grant this, we're essentially granting everybody on that five feet the right to do whatever they want to do," he said. "We're trying to beautify the back of the Square. Five feet is precious."