Letter to the Editor of the Downtown Express

The following has been sent for consideration to the editor for the next issue, March 20-26 .

Re: ‘Club Remix gets liquor license’ (March 13-19):

We residents of Murray Street, Church Street and Park Place and surrounding homes suggest the owners of Remix try living in our neighborhood before they say their club is not a nuisance.

We are greatly saddened to hear for the first time that the dozens and dozens of citizen calls to police over issues caused by Remix making conditions for homes that surround the club uninhabitable are just now coming to light. There is obviously a flaw in the 311 system and 911 which seemingly does not follow up to alert the 1^st precinct about such neighborhood violations.

Must we follow in the footsteps of neighbors of Peppers/Eros/Deco on Leonard Street? At recent meetings with the 1^st Precinct detectives, East Tribeca residents were told the ‘good news’ is that someone finally has been stabbed, inside rather than outside, the Leonard Street club. Why do we have to wait for a disaster to get attention to this serious matter?

What is the real purpose of hearing from the community over liquor licensing these establishments when community input is so blatantly disregarded?

Clearly stated in the ABC laws; Article 8; Revocation of license for just cause. Section 118, # 3:

As used in this section, the term "for cause" shall also include

the existence of a sustained and continuing pattern of noise,

disturbance, misconduct, or disorder on or about the licensed premises,

related to the operation of the premises or the conduct of its patrons,

which adversely affects the health, welfare or safety of the inhabitants

of the area in which such licensed premises are located.

If the State Liquor Authority were to honestly solicit community input, and the law was followed, such establishments would be made to be better neighbors.

Sincerely,

Suellen Epstein and the Murray Street Block Association