Norman may limit game day bar capacity

Outdoor seating also may be made more available

NORMAN—With the return of college football less than two weeks away, the Norman City Council is considering a move to limit Campus Corner bar and restaurant capacity to 50% on game day and close Asp Avenue to provide more outdoor seating.

Mayor Breea Clark, noting that bars and restaurants “have had a tough time” maintaining current ordinance restrictions related to social distancing, said further limiting indoor capacity would help reduce the spread of COVID-19 while keeping managers and owners from being overwhelmed on days the University of Oklahoma plays football.

The ordinance, which requires face coverings and social distancing in public places, also calls for bars and bar areas in restaurants to limit capacity to the number of available seats and close standing-room-only areas to patrons.

The council will vote on the proposal Tuesday.

Last week, OU announced that tailgating would be prohibited during the upcoming season on campus grounds and parking areas. Clark, however, said revelers will make their way to Norman anyway, even if the game is being played out of town.

“We know that people are going to come and enjoy what Norman does best,” she said during a council study session Tuesday night .“We just want to make sure we are providing opportunities to do it safely and again with the end goal of keeping our students here, our residents safe and our businesses open.”

OU opens the season Sept. 12 with a home game against Missouri State.

Council member Kate Bierman said she spoke with community members who recommended closing off Asp and allowing it to be “an open air patio for any of the restaurants or any of the bars.”

“With the allowance of outside seating, I think that 50% capacity on game day is achievable for a lot of (owners ),” Bierman said. “There didn't seem to be too much concern or heartache about it from the ones I spoke to.”