Last week, the Alcohol License Review Committee approved a repeal of a three-year-old provision that has effectively been preventing new businesses from getting a liquor license in Madison's downtown area.
Under the 365-day provision of the Alcohol Licensing Density Ordinance, any incoming establishment in Madison's central business district may not apply to the ALRC unless it is located at an address that has held a tavern license within the last 365 days.
For instance, if any new establishment wanted a liquor license in the central business district of downtown Madison, the only available location was where Ram Head went out of business in June 2009. And that leaves less than two months for any business at that address to apply to the ALRC. By repealing the provision, former locations that held a tavern license more than 365 days ago will be retroactively eligible to apply to the ALRC.
Even though the ALDO was set to expire in October, the ALRC's decision to suspend the provision for the time being was a good one. Back in 2007, when alcohol-related problems at bars were getting out of hand, the idea of reducing, or at least capping the amount of liquor licenses downtown seemed enticing. But in today's downtown environment, when we see police resources dedicated to breaking up house parties instead of patrolling streets, this doesn't seem to be the case. It is hard to support roadblocks for business in this struggling economy without seeing obvious benefits.
In the past, the ALRC has been strict when it comes to handing out liquor licenses, or even keeping them. Suspending licenses has been a popular tactic for the committee, especially in response to crime at specific bars. In 2009 alone, Madison Avenue, Ram Head and Kollege Klub each served suspensions handed down by the ALRC. There is no denying that preventing criminal activity is a good thing, but the restrictive nature of the ALRC has had economic repercussions that outweigh its crime-fighting abilities.
When Middleton business owner Scott Acker planned to open the Hall of Fame Grill at University Square in 2009, the ALRC was less than willing to grant a liquor license. After the ALRC attempted to reduce the proposed 900-person capacity in September, Acker backed out of the location entirely. The space is still vacant to this day.
The 365-day provision affects more than just bars. Other potential entertainment options like movie theatres, bowling alleys and live music venues whose business models require some proceeds from alcohol sales simply cannot survive in certain areas of downtown Madison without a liquor license.
More business is better business, for everyone. As students on campus, we are entitled to choose from a variety of different forms of entertainment, alcoholic or otherwise. Madison should ease the transition of new businesses into the downtown area, not hamper them.
