Today will be a very interesting day in City Hall. Although the Council agenda does not forecast another ten hour meeting, it contains a matter of great importance for students. The Madison City Council will finally vote on the Alcohol License Density Ordinance after opening the floor to neighborhood representatives, landlords, tenants, residents of Madison, and UW students.
I hope that my consultations with my colleagues on Council will influence them to vote against this misguided plan. In these recent meetings I have tried to make the negative implications of the Density Plan very clear. This approach would not solve the problem of downtown crime; it would in fact exacerbate the situation.
The increased risk of house parties, packed establishments (both licensed and not), and shifted density are all possible consequences should this ordinance pass. My view has been shared by countless downtown students, landlords, and business owners. I appreciate the Badger Herald's recent editorial on this topic.
As I have expressed in every committee meeting on this issue: I urge my colleagues to oppose the Density Plan. Instead, help students and downtown residents support smarter initiatives like the Neighborhood Watch Program and the Downtown Safety Initiative, which are proven and powerful methods to keep our streets safe.
Join me today as I oppose the Alcohol License Density Ordinance. The meeting is today (9/18) at 6:30 PM, in Room 201 of the City-County Building (210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.).
