Monday, May 7, 2012

BrooklynSpeaks: Should arena crowds really be able to drink all night?

From our friends at BrooklynSpeaks:

In Chicago, Wrigley Field is allowed to host only 30 evening events a year. Liquor sales must end no later than 9:30PM. And any changes to that policy have to be approved by the Chicago City Council.

You’d think that the people of Brooklyn deserve no less respect.

Not according to Barclays Center, which has applied for a license that would allow it to keep serving alcohol up to the 4AM State limit in an 18,000-seat arena. Sure, the NBA has a policy that requires liquor sales to end after the third quarter. But basketball only accounts for 40 of the expected 220 events to be held at the arena each year. And Barclays’ application isn’t even limited to serving drinks at arena events. (Arena plans include four club/lounge areas.)

We all know that the history of Atlantic Yards has been one blanket approval by government after another, with little oversight afterward. But isn’t this getting ridiculous?

Click here
to tell the New York State Liquor Authority and Governor Cuomo that Barlcays’ liquor license must be appropriate for the residential neighborhoods in which it is situated, and through which patrons will travel on their way home. Require drink sales to end after half time at a NBA game, 45 minutes before the end of an event, or 10PM, whichever comes first. And only permit alcohol to be sold during ticketed arena events.


Sign the petition now!


See the original post at http://www.brooklynspeaks.net/node/58


We'd add that in addition to signing the petition, another concrete action you can take is to attend the CB6 General Board Meeting at 6:30pm on Wednesday May 9th at Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street, Court Room / Brooklyn, NY 11201). The Atlantic Yards liquor license is on the agenda (see last item in Section F of the agenda here.) Though there will not be an opportunity for public comment during the Atlantic Yards discussion itself, our community presence itself is a strong, important message. The meeting does also conclude with a general public comment period which will provide an excellent opportunity for the community to speak up about the continued over-development and out-of-scale/out-of-character development going on in Prospect Heights and Park Slope. This is a chance for you to have input on the future of your community here in Brooklyn - a future outsiders from Cleveland (Forest City), Chicago (Levy Premium Foodservice), Atlanta (Hooters) and beyond would prefer to choose for you without your input.

1 comment:

  1. No. They should be given an alcohol training course and should be taught on how to control their drinking habits.

    ReplyDelete