CM JAMES CALLS ON THE NYS LIQUOR AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE CERTAIN LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS TO INCLUDE SECURITY, COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES CALLS ON THE NYS LIQUOR AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE CERTAIN LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS TO INCLUDE SECURITY, COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 

(New York, NY)— On Monday, September 21, 2012, Council Member Letitia James introduced a resolution into the New York City Council. The resolution calls on the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) to further protect local communities through more thoroughly communicating with residents, community leaders, and local elected officials concerning liquor licensing; and to require liquor license applications for large venues to include thorough security and community safety plans.

Currently, the SLA requires any business entity applying for a liquor license to submit a 30-day notification form to the local community board. The 30-day notification process is meant to afford all those affected an opportunity to voice their position. A Brooklyn Speaks petition signed by nearly 1,400 residents requested that Barclays Center’s license be limited to serving drinks during ticketed arena events only, and must mandate an end to liquor sales after half time at an NBA game, 45 minutes before the end of an event, or at 10:00PM—whichever comes first. Although Barclay’s Center complied with the 30-day notification requirement, and public hearings were held, developer Forest City Ratner and the SLA did not implement an early cutoff for alcohol sales (as had been consistently requested and outlined in the community-centered Barclays Center Neighborhood Protection Plan). Instead, the Board voted to impose a 1:00AM cut off for liquor sales at the arena.

“It is important that the State Liquor Authority understand that even with the most meticulous crowd management imaginable, the opening of an arena that serves alcohol into the morning will affect residential life in the surrounding community,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I would certainly hope that when the next big arena is developed in New York City, the SLA would make more of an effort to address quality-of-life concerns raised by the community.”

Stakeholders also requested that SLA require Forest City Ratner to clarify and make transparent their security and community safety plan prior to granting the license.

Barclay’s Center will soon be holding sporting events and concerts that seat up to 20,000 individuals.

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ATTENTION: Barclays Arena Liquor License Approved; Cut-Off Time 1AM

Barclays Center was approved for its liquor license by the New York State Liquor Authority, despite concerns raised by Council Member James and community members (including a petition signed by nearly 1,400 residents). Contrary to requests for an early alcohol cut-off time, the Board voted to impose a 1:00AM cut off for liquor sales at the arena.

More information is available from Brooklyn Speaks here: http://www.brooklynspeaks.net/node/64

CMs James, Levin, & State Sen. Montgomery Release Neighborhood Protection Plan for Barclays

On May 29, 2012, Council Members Letitia James and Steve Levin, along with NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery and community leaders, released a Neighborhood Protection Plan addressing Barclays Center traffic management methods, as well as (long.standing.) quality of life concerns. NPP FINAL The plan calls for measures that include the institution of residential parking permits, increased garbage can placement, and an early cutoff for alcohol sales. It also institutes an additional charge for parking, similar to the system at Newark's Prudential Center. And it would designate policing of the arena area to the 78th Precinct.

ATTENTION: SLA Public Hearing On Barclay's Liquor License; 6/12 & 6/20

The New York State Liquor Authority has scheduled their public hearing on the Barclays Center liquor license application for 11:00AM on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 AND 7:00PM on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 317 Lenox Avenue, 4th floor, New York, NY.

The hearing notice may be viewed here. Brooklyn Community Board 6 (representing the Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Gowanus, and Red Hook areas) recently voted to support the Barclay's Liquor License.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn Speaks has created a public petition directed towards New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Liquor Authority Chairman Dennis Rosen to demand public accountability for Barclay's Center alcohol sales, something Council Member James has long called-on.

ATTENTION: BK Speaks Petition On Barclay's Alcohol Sales

Brooklyn Speaks has created a public petition directed towards New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Liquor Authority Chairman Dennis Rosen to demand public accountability for Barclay's Center alcohol sales. You may review Council Member James' community board testimony on the matter here.

The petition states that Barclays’ license must be limited to serving drinks during ticketed arena events only, and must mandate an end to liquor sales after half time at an NBA game, 45 minutes before the end of an event, or at 10:00PM—whichever comes first. In comparison, Chicago's 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.

Please support accountability on the part of Barclay's, and fair liquor service that considers public safety. The petition is available here: http://brooklynspeaks.net/limit-alcohol-at-barclays-center

CM James Testifies at Barclay's Liquor Licensing Hearing

On April 10, 2012, Council Member Letitia James testified at a joint public hearing between Brooklyn Community Boards 2 & 6 to discuss Barclays Center's Liquor License Application. She maintained that until further information is shared concerning transportation, public safety, small business stabilization, NYPD oversight, and security plans, it would be premature to support the licensing. Clip accessed via Brownstoner's coverage. Please see NYT-Local's coverage here.

NYS Liquor Authority: Seminar on Licensing; 3/19; 9:30AM

The New York State Liquor Authority is hosting a free training seminar entitled “The ABC’s of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.” The seminar will provide owners, managers, and staff of alcohol-licensed establishments information on how to comply with the current laws and run a responsible business. The Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association (ESRTA), the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, and NYS Department of State will be on-hand.*

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009
Time: 9:30AM
Where: Brooklyn Borough Hall, located at 209 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn, NY

*Pre-registration is required. If you or your employees would like to take advantage of this opportunity please call 518-486-4701 or e-mail freetraining@abc.state.ny.us to register. You may also fax the registration form to 518-402-4015.


Please click image below for registration form: