20th Ward Liquor Control

I haven’t posted any thoughts about the potential new liquor legislation proposed for the 20th ward because I wasn’t able to actually make it to the Business Association meeting, but both the RFT and Southside Journal have articles this week. Basically, Alderman Craig Schmid proposed liquor-control measures for the district which I and many others believe would negatively impact the development of the neighborhood, specifically, Cherokee Street businesses. After hearing the concerns of neighborhood business owners and residents, Schmid agreed to postpone the passage of the bill for 90 days. The Southside Journal summarizes it like this:

Schmid’s bill containing the plan extends the 20th Ward Liquor Control District for another three years. That district would cease to exist at the end of this month if it is not extended. In the district now, at least 50 percent of sales of any establishment with a license to sell liquor by the drink must be from food. The district effectively restricts liquor by the drink to restaurants. Schmid proposes to allow establishments on Cherokee from Iowa to Nebraska to have a liquor-by-the-drink license if 35 percent of their sales are from food. These businesses would have to follow strict requirements on reduced weekday hours, parking, security and other issues. Those with 50 percent food sales wouldn’t have to follow these special requirements. Hours would be 6 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Establishments would have to get permission from owners of off-street parking lots to use them. A security guard would be mandated from 9 p.m. to closing for places with an capacity limit of more than 100 people. High-resolution video cameras would be required outside the building, with an Internet feed available to the liquor authorities, the police, and others, including Schmid. There would be no more than two such establishments within 350 feet.

Will Liebermann, (who happens to be my landlord and all around good guy) shares several thoughts about the neighborhood’s growth in the RFT, and also discussed are slated projects in the area. Mike Glodeck, who is currently renovating his building on Cherokee Street and Jefferson Avenue, with plans to open coffee house and pub Foam, chose to buy in Ortmann’s 9th Ward, which had no restrictions beyond the city’s general liquor laws. Steve Smith, of the Royale, would like to open a bar in his building at Cherokee and Iowa, but even though “he hopes something could be worked out that would enable him to open while satisfying concerns of residents” is concerned that the proposed restrictions would seriously impact his ability to do so.

I personally agree wholeheartedly with neighbor Betty Halloran, owner of the Cherokee Street embroidery store Personalized Mementos, who says in the article “a few watering holes might make the street more secure. ‘You come down here after 7 p.m., and it’s dead,” says Halloran. “The more activity we have down here at night the safer I think it would be.’ ” I love the area, but the lack of eyes on the street in the evening is a negative, and I think a few pubs would provide the after-hours destinations that a neighborhood needs to get past that hurdle. While I understand that the needs of residentially focused areas need to be addressed, and citizens don’t want every storefront occupied by a seedy bar filled with drunks and brawlers, I don’t think that’s the intent here. While I don’t know Mike and Steve well, Mike’s attitudes and plans for Foam seem far more ambitious and thoughtful, and Steve is very active in the community and I think an establishment similar to the Royale would be an obvious asset to the neighborhood. Even if a more flexible policy attracted less ambitious proprietors, such establishments wouldn’t be bringing potentially undesirable behavior to the area. Crime is already there without their help.

In addition to the positive safety factors, I know from my brief time in real estate that people who are interested in moving to burgeoning urban areas repeatedly list “restaurants, bars, and stores within walking distance” as a huge motivator in their decisions, and I’m certainly no different. Walking across the street to buy a design magazine from the record store, down the block for an authentic burrito, or two minutes away for a last minute grocery item or Saturday morning breakfast instead of constantly getting into my car is a huge benefit of the neighborhood to me, and I’m sure to others as well. Having diverse establishments within in walking distance where I can get a meal yes, but also maybe stop in for a drink, a cup of coffee with my wi-fi, or to catch a dj while meeting with friends later in the evening would make me even more likely to be continually supportive of the neighborhood with both my time and dollars.

If the comments on this post at the Urban Review are any indication, there are differing opinions.

In response to my recent email, Alderman Schmid replied, “I appreciate your thoughtful comments. We are trying to figure out a balance that will encourage this to happen without jeopardizing the positive developments we are achieving. It is not easy, but it is certainly exciting.”

Riverfront Times Article
Southside Journal Article