Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has announced a proposal for changing state policy to allow cities to allow extended service hours for Seattle nightlife. The plan is part of Seattle’s comprehensive Nightlife Initiative, which aims to maintain public safety and provide businesses with greater flexibility to adapt to the market demands of residents and visitors.
In a nutshell, McGinn’s plan is to stagger closing times at certain bars and clubs to ease the strain on police resources. As it is now, Seattle Police can be stretched thin at 2 a.m. when every bar and club lets out, especially in certain busy business districts, like Ballard, Belltown, Capitol Hill, and even parts of Upper and Lower Queen Anne.
“We’ve talked to the public, we’ve talked to businesses, we’ve talked to neighbors, and this is something the community wants us to do,” said Mayor Mike McGinn
The City Council will hear the resolution in committee on July 19 and a vote to follow soon afterward. The rule change application will be submitted to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB) by August 31. The LCB then has 60 days to decide whether to initiate the rule making process. Mayor McGinn hopes to have extended service hours implemented in Seattle in 2012.
What do you think Queen Anne? Would extending alcohol service hours improve closing-time noise, public safety and the local marketplace for small businesses, or would it have negative effects on the surrounding communities?