New Federal Hill Bar - See the Objections

Crime: Brawls to Bullets

‘We are afraid of our neighborhood’

Objection: In letters to the Bureau of Licenses, residents worried that more 2 a.m. licenses would lead to an increase in what has already become a problem of rising crime. One letter, from a 97-year-old WWII veteran and his son warns of “bar fights which have spilled out into the streets, and frequent incidents of disorderly conduct along Atwells Avenue.” In one instance, the father and son, wrote, a bullet hit a window of another applicant for a liquor license. “Late at night we are afraid of our neighborhood, wrote the pair, Louis DiCola and David DiCola in Jan. 21 letter to the Bureau of Licenses. 

Too Much Liquor

Federal Hill ‘Saturated’ with Liquor Establishments

Objection: Federal Hill already has too many liquor licenses, according to Louis DiCola, 97-year-old WWII veteran, and his son David DiCola. “It is relevant to point out that our community is amply served, in fact saturated, by establishments serving liquor, wine, and beer. Our condominium, in fact, is surrounded by such establishments,” the DiColas write in a Jan. 21 letter to the Bureau of Licenses. 

No Club Zone

‘We do not want to become a club zone’

Objection: For many residents and business owners, the issue comes down to what kind of a place Federal Hill should be. Objectors to the new licenses say the Hill should continue to be a mix of fine dining and residences—but not become another stop on the club scene. “Our quality of life is already deteriorating, with restaurants closing and bars … proliferating. We have had too many incidents of gunfire and brawling, and we do not want to be a club zone for the city of Providence,” writes Catherine Hurst, a local condo owner in a Jan. 26 letter to the Bureau of Licenses. 

Late Night Litter

‘Dangerous and Unsanitary Litter’

Objection: The crowds may move on, but they leave trash and litter in their wake, according to residents. In a letter to the Bureau of Licenses, one couple wrote that they had to deal with “substantial volumes of dangerous and unsanitary litter” that made it “unsafe to walk on our street or property.” That could include anything from broken beer bottles to hypodermic needles, according to Robert Terino, a local resident and also the owner of D’Vine on the Hill. 

2 a.m. Too Late

‘A crisis of late in Federal Hill’

Objection: For many residents, it’s not so much the fact that there will be another liquor license or another bar or club-like restaurant. It’s the 2 a.m. closing that is the sticking point. The late-night closing is what attracts the wrong crowd. “We have having a crisis of late in Federal Hill with several late night incidences related to the 2 a.m. liquor licenses with drunken fights spilling out onto the streets, both Atwell and Spruce, on a frequent basis, lately, between 2:00 – 3:00 am.,” writes Anne-Marie Bennett, a local condo owner. 

Late and Loud

Objection: The late closing doesn’t just attract the wrong crowd; it also ensures they are out on the streets from 2 a.m. onwards—at a time when local residents are most sensitive to loud noises. Robert Terino, the owner of D’Vine on the Hill, said bar and club patrons resist police efforts to move them quickly off the streets. Some residents reportedly have complained that they now have to sleep with earplugs on weekends. 

Property Damage

Objection: Some who object to the new licenses said they have suffered property damage as a result of the late-night, rowdy club crowds. From public urination on cars to other disruption from trespassing, property damage is yet one more headache clubs have caused, local residents say. 

Tired of Traffic

‘Tremendous traffic problems’

Objection: The objections go beyond the quality of life issues. One owner, John Campagnone, the owner of Caserta Pizza, told the Bureau of Licenses that he has a “concern regarding parking availability and increased traffic flow” on his street. “I feel that a facility of this size will cause tremendous traffic problems,” added another residential property owner, Ryan Welter, who owns homes at 118-220 Spruce Street, in a Jan. 29 letter to the Bureau of Licenses.  

Deterring Tourists

New licenses ‘will ultimately deter people from visiting this great area’

Objection: A letter from two residents makes it clear they have no objection to outsiders visiting their neighborhood—something they are all for, in fact. The problem is the wrong kind of visitors—late-night clubbers—may be scaring away the right kind, diners and other tourists. The licenses, according to father-and-son Louis and David DiCola will “jeopardize the attempts to revitalize the whole area, and will ultimately deter people from visiting this great area.” 

Photo courtesy of Mike Giannamore/flickr

Sliding Property Values

Objection: While many complaints about quality of life issues may seem intangible, one real impact is on property values, according to Robert Terino, a local restaurant owner and also a resident. He said residents have become mobilized now that the rising numbers of bars and clubs are hitting them where it sometimes hurts most: in their wallets. Most of the letters of objection received by the Bureau of Licenses were from residents at the condominium at 333 Atwells Avenue. 

Photo courtesy of jkozik/flickr