ALDO: 2012 Annual Review

For the past several weeks, Alcohol Policy Coordinator Mark Woulf has been presenting this year's annual review on Madison's Alcohol Licensing Density Ordnance. Similar to previous reviews, the City was presented data on alcohol-related crimes and information on the density of liquor licenses. In the end, the reinforced many preconceived notions on the ineffectiveness of the ordinance, while highlighting the importance of good operators over strict regulations. 

On the surface, the report continues to show that the number of calls for police service downtown require monitoring by the council. The downtown maintains to be lively between the hours of 10 pm to 4 am, and officers are frequently called to issues on State Street and around the Capitol. 

Looking further into the numbers, the premise bar management has a major impact on the calls for service and curbing hotspots for troubling behaviors. Reviewing heat maps of calls, bars with poor management have a correlational impact to to spikes. For example, the exiting of Madison Avenue had a positive impact on the calls for service in the University Avenue corridor. Furthermore, the additional funding of officers from the Downtown Safety Initiative has also provided the downtown with greater stability during peak hours.

The Business Improvement District (BID) has also provided helpful antidotal evidence on the importance of a balanced relationship between a thriving downtown and proper ratio between retail and entertainment.  

One disappointment from the last year was the lack of any new entertainment licenses. Last year several alders fought for a seven new licenses to be created particularly to create entertainment establishments that promoted activities like live music. A compromise was eventually reached to allow these established an alcohol ratio of 30:70, although I argued that the ratio was too low to attract new venues. So far, no applicant has applied for the new entertainment license. 

The one reassurance is that ALDO will sunset July 5th, 2013 and be replaced by a tavern management plan. Ideally, this new plan will provide incentives for good operators, isolate and reprimand bad behavior, and allow for the expansion and welcome new forms of entertainment to the downtown.