McGinn's Big Nightlife Announcement
Civic leaders love to send cryptic emails that leave us biting our nails and hoping for something earth-shattering. Here's the one that Mayor McGinn's people sent out yesterday afternoon:
Please join Mayor Mike McGinn, City Attorney Pete Holmes and Councilmember Tim Burgess for an important announcement regarding the mayor’s Nightlife Initiative tomorrow morning.
Naturally, many of us here at Seattlest jumped to the conclusion that we've been waiting for since McGinn took office--that he was finally moving last call from 2 a.m. until sometime later in the night. According to nightime news-breaker Cienna Madrid at the Stranger, that was exactly what was coming--though, she warned, it'll take a while.
And so, we waited. All morning, we waiting. Refreshing the Seattle Channel. Hoping for news. Excited at the prospects. Unsure of how any of us would ever make it to work again if bar hours were extended. Not really caring that much.
We were only kind of disappointed.
The Mayor, in action.
Today, Mayor Mike McGinn announced that he is moving forward with the initial plans of the Nightlight Initiative, including extended bar hours. But, as Madrid said, it will be a slow process.
"The push-out [at 2 a.m.] is a public safety issue," the Mayor said, acknowledging that the pouring of drunk people onto the streets when all of the bars close at once is a problem for the police, cab drivers and neighbors. He was also careful to point out that hours alone were not the problem--safe nighttime transportation and a safe, compliant culture within the nightlife community have to be addressed, as well.
However, to get later hours, the City must get the Liquor Control Board on their side. Thus, the Mayor, along with the City Council, City Attorney Pete Holmes, and James Keblas of the Seattle Office of Film and Music, are submitting a petition to the LCB that seeks later bar hours, and new rules.
The Mayor explained that this petition represents a well-researched move, as well as a united front,. He also clarified that the LCB doesn't exactly have the tools to tailor a solution regarding later hours to a specific city--yet. But, he said, that's what the petition is for: to get the process started to "get the Liquor Control Board to change their rules," to establish specialized rules (like extended bar hours) for the City of Seattle.
"This is a pretty serious public policy decision," the Mayor said, but that "they [the Liquor Control Board] have to put that framework in place."
Come on, Liquor Control Board. Our longer nights (and early mornings) are in your hands.
Read the whole press release here.
