The Alcohol Density Plan—a proposed ordinance aimed at slowing down the increase in the amount of bars downtown—will sink or swim at tonight’s city council meeting.

The plan encompasses much of campus—a square mile area, from Blair Street west to Park Street, and from West Washington Avenue northward—that contains 42 percent of Madison’s 128 bar establishments.

The meeting promises to hold much debate, as the issue pits students, bar owners and downtown businesses against police, city officials and various neighborhood associations. Still, only their opinions can be heard. The vote will come down to what Madison’s 20 alders decide.

Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, has voiced his strong opposition to the Alcohol Density Plan, which has been in the works for over a year.

Judge said because there would be fewer bars downtown, the plan would force people out of bars and into house parties and ultimately not even solve the one issue it is supposed to—downtown public safety.

Still, the current Alcohol Policy Coordinator and brains behind the ordinance, Joel Plant, said the density plan is not aimed to force people anywhere.

“It’s not about reducing the number of establishments, it’s simply not the case,” Plant said. “It’s not going to happen. It’s about slowing down the increase and one of the ways to slow that down is to restrict the kinds of establishments you grant a license to.”

But Plant acknowledged the density plan, which he thinks will pass, is a long-term solution. One meant to help fix problems downtown several years from now. He said the short-term fixes are already in place.

He said a combination of better compliance with licensed establishments, effective messaging within the community and continued police enforcement, along with the plan can make a big difference in re-shaping the downtown.