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The Daily Cardinal Est. 1892
Friday, March 29, 2024
ALRC 10172013

City officials explore ways to enhance underage night life

Due to an ambiguous state statute that dictates what type of businesses can provide 18+ nighttime entertainment, city policy makers, consultants and attorneys reached a standstill Wednesday in a long-term effort to restructure downtown alcohol policies.

The Alcohol License Review Committee picked up an ongoing conversation at its bi-monthly meeting in hopes of solidifying modifications to the Alcohol License Density Ordinance, in place since 2007, before it expires Jan. 1, 2014. However, the dialogue hiccuped when leaders discussed ways the city can expand nighttime entertainment for individuals under 21.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said 17 Madison venues are currently licensed as “centers for visual and performing arts” under state statutes, which allows places such as The Frequency, Segredo and the Comedy Club on State to admit patrons 18 and over, and also serve alcohol to those over 21.

City Attorney Jennifer Zilavy said a recurring suggestion to sanction more 18+ entertainment venues under new ALDO rules is borderline illegal because “performing arts” are vaguely defined in the statute, and therefore urged ALRC members to restrict such licenses. However, city Food and Alcohol Policy Coordinator Mark Woulf said modern interpretations of the statute are complicated by the fact legislators “probably didn’t envision electronic dance music as the main form of entertainment” when they wrote the statute.

“But that’s the nature of arts, it changes over the years,” Woulf said. “So I think certainly from a policy perspective, Madison of all places should be progressive in its interpretation of what is performing arts and how to encourage those performing arts.”

Furthermore, Woulf said adding more diverse nighttime entertainment options for students under 21 would curb the problems of underage patrons entering bars and consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol. In the past, Woulf has suggested the city put a bowling alley and a movie theatre downtown.

City Attorney Roger Allen suggested ALRC members work with city lobbyists to appeal to legislatures to update and clarify the statute language.

“This is an area where I think our lobbyist could do some good,” Allen said. “Because we’re not out there alone. Every city that I’ve heard of, of any size, is looking for activities for their youth.”

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