Barclays Center liquor license follow-up: CB2 approval, Patch coverage

In CB2 Toasts Barclays Center Booze Permit, The Local reports:

Community Board 2’s vote rubber-stamped a committee’s approval one night earlier of the license in exchange for promises to involve the community and crack down on underage drinking and post-game filth. That approval came after intense debate, but there was little discussion by the full board last night.

“Barclays Center, here we come!” hailed CB2 Chairman John Dew after the vote.

My comment:

Despite Mr. Dew's triumphant tone, I'm not sure this article should share it. The resolution approved includes fairly onerous reservations. Some regard expected but delayed actions: transportation and security plans.

The Community Advisory Committee is doable, but there was no sign it's actually coming. And, as the article indicates, Levy opposes the use of ID readers.

Also, we didn't hear what Levy and developer Forest City Ratner think of a review of the license in one year, but it's unlikely they're thrilled about it.

I'd add that there may be a divide on the board, with Dew having fewer reservations about the Barclays Center than some CB 2 members. I'll note that one CB 2 member told me after the committee meeting Tuesday that they were forbidden to talk to the press.

Patch report

This morning Patch produces Community Residents Have Reservations About Barclays Center Liquor License, a thorough article that's only about a day late.

The article, like the WNYC coverage, included a reference to one supporter I didn't mention in my article:

However, not everyone in the room was against approving the liquor license. David Vendley, the co-owner of Calexico, a restaurant on Union Street, said that the community should support Barclays and their liquor license.

“I like to drink beer at games, but I don’t want to get drunk. To lump everyone who drinks at arenas together and say that selling liquor is going to create an unruly group of people in a gross assumption,” David Vendley said.

Vendley has a point, but the committees are concerned because there's just much less of a margin for error, given the arena's location.

In the Daily News

The Daily News also had an article, online late yesterday , which was a more truncated summary, which couldn't resist an alarmist lead:

A boozy battle has broken out over a liquor license for the new Nets arena.

Residents worry liquored-up hordes of fans will wreak havoc in their streets after games and other events at the Prospect Heights arena

Unmentioned is the extraordinarily tight fit of the arena in Prospect Heights.