Don't we wish bar owners  would be that motivated. Revenue comes from alcohol and it's tough enough to make a profit running a restaurant. I don't think we can rest assured that most bar owners will follow this example.
 
I'm particularly concerned about Uptown being included because of the close proximity to residential. Plus CM Niziolek according to a Strib Taste article is allowing three restaurants with a total of 1000 seats (none of which have any parking) to go in. That to me will be a nightmare. The addition of Famous Dave's, even with the Calhoun Square lot, caused a huge parking crunch in that portion of CARAG.
 
Also I believe most conventioneers will be satisfied being able to drink downtown until 2 a.m. Easier to catch a cab or walk back to your hotel. Those who believe that people will drive from Uptown to Downtown for one last drink are magnifying what I believe will be a nonexistent problem. If folks are compelled to do that then they'd probably be a drinking problem even with the 1 a.m. close.
 
Lastly everyone on this list talks about liquor license enforcement. Well as someone who has had problems in the past as a CM and who has seen some of the bar issues downtown I can tell you that is no sure thing and takes time and a lot of process to do. Why not take a go slow approach initially and if it works out then extend it to selected neighborhoods.
 
Some folks may be keen on doing this because they know bar owners can be counted on to give to political campaigns and renters and homeowners who will be most affected by the noise and hassle aren't always as generous.
 
Lisa McDonald
East Harriet
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Snyder
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 11:26 PM
To: Minneapolis Issues Forum
Subject: Re: [Mpls] Benson: no conflict pushing for 2 a.m. bar time
 
On 6/18/03 10:39 PM, "List Manager" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> He's abstained on all liquor license votes as a partner in a
> distributorship; colleague Gary Schiff, who opposes neighborhood 2 a.m.,
> calls for Benson to abstain on this vote as well.
>
> The city's ethics officer says Benson is ok. What do you think?

I think the ethics officer is right. If Benson were pushing a downtown-only
extension of bar closing times, then there might be a problem if his
distribution company were found to supply primarily downtown establishments.
But if he's seeking the same opportunity for all bars citywide, then there's
no conflict.

I


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