A proposal to grant the City of Boston additional liquor licenses, North End included, has been announced by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and City Councilor Ayanna Pressley.
It appears, the proposal is part of an ongoing effort to attract new businesses and restaurants, encourage expansion of current establishments and support Boston’s growing economy.
Reportedly, the proposal would provide the city with 152 non-transferable liquor licenses that would phased in over three years (2017-2019).
Part of the plan would allow, within a three-year time frame, the North End with no more than three licenses a year based on the proposal. Full and/or malt and wine licenses can be given to the neighborhood.
Many of the licenses will be available to numerous other communities including Beacon Hill and Back Bay.
Mayor Walsh called the proposal a balance approach to licensing, ensuring neighborhoods historically disadvantage by the liquor license process, will receive their fair share of licenses, while also providing an option for larger establishments to receive licenses without hurting small businesses.
The Mayor will have to work with the City Council and the Massachusetts Legislature to advance this piece of legislation.
In the past, North End community groups and residents have been extremely cautious with placing new liquor licenses in their neighborhood, but they have not been opposed to replacing existing licenses with other licenses.
“This City continues to grow and this legislation is a step towards ensuring that growth is shared with all of our neighborhoods,” Councilor Pressley said.
Unlike 2014 when Boston was granted legislative approval for 25 new licenses per year over a three-year course, this proposal calls for non-transferable liquor licenses.
