Mayor Domenic Sarno has proposed the 1 a.m. closing hour for bars aimed at promoting public safety, but it has drawn concerns about harm to businesses
SPRINGFIELD — A proposal to shut down bars in Springfield at 1 a.m. drew a mixed response at a public hearing Wednesday, with some saying it will enhance public safety and others saying it will harm business and cost jobs.
Approximately 100 people packed a License Commission hearing at City Hall to speak out on the 1 a.m. closing hour proposed by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Sarno was joined by top officials form the Police and Economic Development departments and by some residents in advocating for the earlier closing hour in place of the current 2 a.m. closing.
Sarno that a 1 a.m. curfew on music and other entertainment, begun last April, is already having good results, making the city safer and calmer in the late night hours. He said he wants to build on those results and make more people want to come downtown by feeling safer.
Opponents, however, said the earlier closing hour will put Springfield taverns and bars at a disadvantage to businesses in surrounding communities that close at 2 a.m., causing Springfield clubs to lose business and revenue and jobs.
“Less people and less business means less revenue, taxes and jobs for Springfield,” downtown resident Steven Daly said. “Don’t suppress Springfield businesses and drive them out of town by closing them down early."
Some bar-restaurant owners, including Edward Grimaldi, owner of Samuel’s Tavern, said his business would be seriously harmed by a 1 a.m. closing, and he would cut back on food, business hours and jobs. Springfield businesses would lose the last hour of revenue as well as losing patrons for the entire evening who choose to go to establishments in other communities, Grimaldi said.
License Commission Chairman Peter L. Sygnator said that no decision was being made Wednesday, and the commission will accept written comments until Feb. 21. The five-member commission is asking people to submit their comments in six copies to the commission office at City Hall.
Sarno and Police Department officials, including Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, said the 1 a.m. entertainment curfew has significantly reduced late night crime in the city, according to statistics. The curfew lets bars stay open until 2 a.m., but they must shut off all entertainment at 1 a.m., including music and television sets, unless they have a waiver.
Representatives of various neighborhood councils in the city joined in praising the 1 a.m. closing proposal, saying it will improve the quality of life in Springfield, make for more peaceful neighborhoods and cause less of a drain on police resources.
A resident of Kimball Towers in the downtown said the area is hurt by public intoxication, blaring music, prostitution and other trouble.
Frank Ryan of the East Forest Park Civic Association said the a 1 a.m. closing is “reasonable and fair,” and that Springfield is the “City of Homes.”
Timothy Hourihan, a long-time Springfield resident and bar owner, said the License Commission has great powers to punish those bars causing trouble, rather than imposing a 1 a.m. closing for everyone.
“To put this financial burden on all of us, I think, is blatantly unfair,” Hourihan said.
Kevin E. Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said in a letter of support for the 1 a.m. closing that the negative incidents that are happening at the current bar closing time have a tremendous negative effect on the image of the city .
City Councilor Timothy J. Rooke urged the city to find an alternate plan that would not have “such a drastic financial impact” as would occur under a 1 a.m. closing hour. Some officials have said that a policy of not letting new patrons enter a bar after 1 a.m. is one possible option.