Mayor Nickels' Plan To Save Seattle Nightlife
Mayor Nickels's mysterious two-pronged plan to "grow" the city's live music scene was unveiled at a press conference at Neumos this morning: first, the 2009-2010 city budget includes an admissions tax exemption clause for live music venues such as Nectar Lounge, Neumos and--if it ever opens up again--the Crocodile. And second, according to their press release, the Mayor's Office has compiled a "comprehensive nightlife establishment guidebook" (available online here) as a resource for business owners who are looking to open and run a successful music venue.
The admissions tax is currently five cents on every ticket sale dollar. By exempting venues who meet certain standards (certified occupancy under 1000, at least three nights of live music a week, no more than three violations of city regulations and code in the past year), the Mayor's Office hopes to make it easier for those venues to stay in business in what many are forecasting to be a year of continued financial downturn.
What do you think? Is there a hidden agenda behind this sudden friendliness towards live music venues? Will these two changes (the tax exemption and the guidebook) be truly helpful for music in this city?
Mayor Nickels at a meeting of the 46th Legislative District Dems, by Seattlest Flickr Pool Contributor ntisocl.
