Proposed 24-Hour Nightclub District in Providence Draws Criticism From Council, Community Leaders
GoLocalProv News Team
Proposed 24-Hour Nightclub District in Providence Draws Criticism From Council, Community Leaders
"Today, for the first time, I was made aware of an ongoing plan to create a nightclub district bordering my ward. This idea, championed by Dylan Conley, chair of our City’s Board of Licenses, and supported by a couple of my colleagues, is concerning to say the least. Even more disappointing is the fact that my neighbors and I have been left out of the conversation leading up to the big announcements over the weekend and this morning," said Harris.
"Surely, the next Councilor from Ward 10 (where this district is being considered) should’ve had a say before this type of proposal went public. Undeniably, our families and business owners are often taken for granted when grand developments are envisioned in our community. Too often, the Southside is used as a dumping ground for the ideas no one else is willing to house in their own backyards. While homeless shelters, social service agencies, and rehab centers (just to name a few) are all worthwhile investments, why is it always the Southside community that has to compromise quality of life for the better good?" asked Harris.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"My neighbors and families deserve better than the treatment they’re too often afforded," said Harris. "This idea, like too many others, devalues our voice and assumes indifference. I’m hoping to learn more about this nightclub district proposal in the coming days and hope that my constituents are formally invited to the table."
"The immediate concern with this main proposal is that the industrial area in question to provide the space for this 24-hour nightclub district is adjacent to residential neighborhoods such as the Southside (my neighborhood), which poses the potential overflow of the negative aspects of nightlife into those surrounding neighborhoods," said SPNA's Dwayne Keys. "In addition, those surrounding neighborhoods are already challenged with 'concentration' from other activities (i.e., industrial & environmental hazards, traffic, displacement via hospital community, etc.) that have already compromise the quality of life in those neighborhoods: why add this to it?"
About Proposal
On Monday, Councilwoman Kat Kerwin and Millennial Rhode Island founder Travis Escobar announced that they were launching ‘PVD After Dark,’ a "nightlife economy campaign supporting policy proposals suggested by Providence Board of Licenses’ Chair Dylan Conley to create a Nightlife District."
In recent weeks, Providence clubs have been plagued by violence -- and now Conley, Kerwin, and Escobar are calling for a "PVD Nightlife Mayor" to "start thinking creatively about how to improve our nightlife for all residents,” said Kerwin.
“The goal of our campaign is to establish a Nightlife District, a solution that creates incentives for nightclubs to leave neighborhood locations and move to isolated areas in the City,” said Escobar. “It would allow for focused public safety patrol, as well as an orderly approach to nightlife economy challenges.”
Keys, however, called out the involvement of adjacent neighborhoods in the proposal.
"What do the adjacent neighborhoods stand to gain by such a idea? What community benefits will they receive? Did anyone speak to those neighbors who do reside in that industrial area that is being proposed for this district? Why this location? Was there any impact studies conducted to support this idea? There's so much to be considered in the possibilities of such a proposal & this research should take place before the proposal is to move onto the next steps with implementation.
The millennial group said it was "following New York City’s lead," where "nightlife venues generate three times more revenue than all of the City’s sports-based entertainment combined, a NYC Office of Nightlife and 'Nightlife Mayor' were established in 2018. The office and appointed position coordinate businesses, communities, and agencies to help the City’s nightlife succeed safely for all residents."
City Council President Sabina Matos issued the following statement on Thursday.
Last Thursday, the City Council approved a resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Ryan to engage a consultant to provide an updated evaluation of the Board of Licenses. Last Thursday I also announced the creation of a Night Life Working Group to assess the numerous issues affecting the City’s night time businesses, identify tools to preserve public safety and residential peace, and to ensure the enjoyment of the City’s nighttime arts and entertainment options. These are just a couple of options my leadership team is exploring to help curb the night time violence in our City.