BUFFALO, N.Y. — Some elected officials are now calling for closer scrutiny of events that may bring younger people under age 21 to concerts and other gatherings on Buffalo's Chippewa Street and the Central Business District.
An Erie County lawmaker is seeking that focus from his city counterparts.
Business owners along Chippewa and in the Central Business District in Buffalo say they have worked hard to prevent problems with violence, even though it has occurred there in the past.
But now the effort by the owner of the VENU and Bottoms Up establishments to seek Buffalo City Council approval with permits to hold so-called co-mingling events where under age 21 patrons can attend events has raised yellow flags for one Erie County lawmaker.
Citing concerns from his constituents as other businesses and residents, Erie County Legislator Howard Johnson will try to get his legislature colleagues to approve a resolution calling on Buffalo Common Council to put a moratorium on those permits.
"I understand for a lot of the bars in there. It's probably where they make their most money is during that co-mingling time," Johnson said. "It's a big cash grab, but I think we have to remember what happened at Club Marcella, what has taken place at the downtown library, with some of these smaller incidents with a younger population.
"Not to say all young people are bad, but we have to keep in mind the things that's been happening and remember safety first."
Howard says he is not aware of any actual incident at those two bars, but he wants greater clarity for city officials including the idea of a 10 p.m. curfew.
"I think we need to figure out the way to do it safely," Johnson said. "I'm not saying they can't come down there, that they shouldn't be allowed down there. But I think we have to take the time to have a well thought out, robust conversation on how we look at that.
"And then not only is it the bars owners have skin in the game, the elected officials should have skin in the game that represent those districts, the residents should be able to weigh in."
Johnson also pointed out that he feels the tone of the Chippewa District has changed.
"I think it's important that we keep that in mind that we have more than just entertainment down there. We have families coming down here, people going out to dinner, and things of the nature," he said.
Attorney Jacob Piorkowski, who represents the owner of the VENU and Bottoms Up, said his client has held such events for years there and has not had any issues. He adds that they do not feel the properties are the source of any violence as they have actually followed city policies in requesting permits for such events.
Piorkwoski adds because of the costs involved and lost revenue for his client, they may consider a legal challenge if such permits for April through June were denied or further held up.
Johnson says he intends to introduce his resolution to the county legislature on Thursday.
City Council President Darrius Pridgen, who says there was discussion on this issue Tuesday in a council committee meeting, says the permit request has been tabled for now, and he is setting up a meeting for next week with all parties to discuss this matter further.
The Chippewa Alliance, which represents other bars and businesses, says they specifically avoid such under-21 co-mingling events with concerns about potential issues with the State Liquor Authority and insurance liability.