Fargo airport authority asks Liquor Control Board to seek airport-specific license allowing limited concourse drinking

Stacy Bossard, representing the Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo, told the Fargo Liquor Control Board on July 15 that the authority wants a new, airport-specific liquor license that would allow passengers to take alcoholic beverages purchased from the concessionaire onto the concourse.

"What the authority is looking for is consumption of alcohol within the concourse," Bossard said, explaining the airport had explored a stadium license as a template but concluded that option would not permit the concourse consumption the authority seeks. She said the authority voted 5–0 to pursue a bespoke airport license and had provided updated maps and materials to the board.

Bossard described several proposed exclusions where alcohol would remain prohibited, including the security screening area, restrooms, the pet-relief area, the mothering/nurturing room, and an "immersive room," and she said additional alcohol-free zones have been identified to preserve nonalcoholic public space.

Austin, identified in the meeting as a representative of Skydine, the concessionaire that operates food and beverage service at the airport, said Skydine has operated at Fargo since 2011 and at airports in multiple states and that problems in airports that allow concourse consumption have been "extremely minimal." "For the most part, people mind their p's and q's when they're on the post-security side of the airport," Austin said. "We found very, very little issues and we're always very vigilant and ensuring that any issues are found quickly and dealt with quickly."

Board member Scott Brecky supported forwarding the proposal but urged the airport and city commission to be ready for public scrutiny. "When it comes to an open public discussion, look like as far as serving — who's gonna be in the concourse, what does it look like, what do the cups look like, who is monitoring the concourse and how will they be identified?" Brecky said, recommending photos or a short presentation be prepared for the commission's public meetings.

Following discussion, Brecky moved and a board member seconded a motion directing the city commission to have the city attorney and the auditor continue work on drafting the airport-specific class A license. The board approved the directive by voice vote.

The action does not itself create a new license; it sends the proposal to the city commission and city staff for drafting and further public consideration. The Liquor Control Board did not set a timeline for the commission's work during the meeting.