A.G. Gancarski
A resolution of council support for the local J-1 bill, which would relax requirements for restaurants to serve liquor in the Riverside and Avondale areas, is expected to pass. A potential sticking point: A sponsor for the bill must be named before City Council.
That sponsor was Reggie Fullwood, which is notable because it’ss Jay Fant’s district.
All was moving well until Councilman John Crescimbeni expressed concerns about creating “Bourbon Street districts” through Riverside.
Councilman Jim Love pointed out that urban density precluded expansion of these liquor-serving restaurants.
Crescimbeni still had questions, pointing out a problem with a liquor serving restaurant on the blighted Arlington Expressway that was not doing the majority of its business in food.
Crescimbeni and Councilman Al Ferraro were the sole dissidents. The bill passed 16-2.
