BY SEAN EGAN | Residents of Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen came out in full force on Thurs., Nov. 5, to the of Community Board 4 (CB4) Waterfront, Parks & Environment (WPE) subcommittee meeting. There was only one item on the agenda that night, but it was enough to draw a crowd of around 50 with strong opinions about the proposed 200-seat Pier 62 Beer Garden, to be built in Hudson River Park. The controversial business has been the focus of extensive debates in the community recently — including frequently in the pages of this paper, via talking points and letters to the editor.
Many are opposed to the assumed ruckus the beer garden would bring to this currently serene area of the park (particularly because of a children’s carousel nearby), while others are looking forward to a place to grab a bite and a drink at a family-friendly establishment by the water. Some are simply ideologically opposed to the privatization of parks, and using public parkland for commercial enterprises.
In preparation for the likely heated discussion to follow, Delores Rubin, First Vice Chair of CB4 and the Co-Chair of the committee, began the evening cautiously, by earnestly appealing to the crowd to “remind everyone we’re all neighbors and volunteers.” Rubin also noted that the CB4 offices had been receiving letters on the topic, and the opinion was firmly — but relatively evenly — divided.
Before the public comments session began, Rubin took the time to lay out the situation in a broad strokes timeline.
Back in 2012, when the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) was looking to make improvements to the park and increase revenue, a survey revealed that a top request from visitors was to have more food and beverage options at the park. In 2013 (when the makeup of CB4 was different, she noted), HRPT came before the board to inform them they were going to start a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a beer garden on Pier 62. At the time, Rubin recalled, there was no opposition and “the mood was favorable.”
As the HRPT was simply letting CB4 know of their intention to put out RFPs, with no concrete plan in place, the board wrote no letter. The beer garden next crossed paths with CB4 this past summer, to far less positive reactions, after Merchants Hospitality was already pegged by HRPT to operate the beer garden — having signed a five-year permit with them, with two one-year options.
Rubin noted that everything going on was truly above the board, and not the fault of Merchants or HRPT, saying simply, “Sentiments change, moods change. That’s something to keep in mind.” Indeed, throughout the evening, it was made clear that Merchants was a respected and ideal operator — no one held anything against them, specifically, just the idea of the garden.
She then read a letter drafted by Madelyn Wils, President and CEO of HRPT, to explain their position. Wils described the proposed beer garden as a “family-friendly park amenity.” She also noted its benefits, including making the park safer after dark and drawing in more people, while reminding those present about the many concessions the operator has already made through working with the board.
Shortly thereafter the public was allowed to comment, and dozens took advantage of the opportunity to take the mic, with both sides getting ample time to present their arguments.
The first was former state senator, Tom Duane, who spoke out against the beer garden, noting how crowded the park and waterfront already are.
Anthony Borelli, a Chelsea resident and member of the HRPT, spoke in favor of the beer garden, saying it would draw him and his friends to the park, and that he would enjoy bringing his dog there. Others in agreement with Borelli commented that the park area was underdeveloped.
“One man’s underutilized is another’s sanctuary,” commented Pamela Wolff, a longtime Chelsea resident and public member of CB4.
Miguel Acevedo, President of Fulton Houses, touched on a nerve when he expressed frustration over the potential of disrupting the children’s play area and privatizing parks. “Most of my residents here will not be able to afford a beer in that beer garden, I guarantee you,” he added.
After some deliberation, the WPE came to the decision that they would draft a letter to the Business Licenses & Permits (BLP) committee stating that they are totally opposed to the beer garden, but also included a list of stipulations if it were to go through — including making sure it remains family-friendly at all hours and has prominent signage for public seating. Merchants would be appealing to BLP in a few days’ time to recommend them for a full liquor license.
The BLP meeting of Tues., Nov. 10 was a similar hotbed of activity — though the mood of the room was far less welcoming to Merchants than the mixed reception they received earlier in the week. Frank Holozubiec, the Co-Chair of BLP, reminded the crowd that his committee only makes recommendations to the full board and the State Liquor Authority (SLA).
At the top of the evening, Richard Cohn, the Chief Operating Officer of Merchants Hospitality (who was also present at the Nov. 5 meeting), was given the chance to present his case to the assembled members of the community and BLP members.
Cohn noted that Merchants has enjoyed a lot of support from the Chelsea community since first opening a restaurant in the neighborhood in 1993. He expressed his hope to increase park attendance with the garden, and make it active at all times of day.
He also cataloged many of the concessions Merchants has made at the request of the board — notably by doing away with bleacher seating, reducing their capacity from 300 to 200, adding giant chess and checkers sets and complimentary wi-fi, and allowing for public seating without an obligation to purchase food or drink. In addition, he described his desire to co-partner with the carousel, by perhaps offering promotional discounts for patrons of the garden. He stated to the board that he wanted a full liquor license simply because “not everyone likes beer.”
“I think at the end of the day, you’ll find this to be an amenity to the community,” he concluded.
Over 20 people got up to speak afterward — and there were many familiar faces from the WPE meeting who came to speak out against the park.
Diane Nichols, a 35-year Chelsea resident, was particularly incensed, when describing her opposition to the forthcoming “rowdy restaurant.”
“I’m so absolutely upset that the HRPT went and betrayed us in the dark of the night,” she chastised, both literally and figuratively pointing her finger at the Trust, to rapturous applause from the assembled.
A representative of State Assemblymember Richard Gottfried was present to read a statement against the beer garden. “This is not an appropriate location for a commercial establishment of this kind and size,” the statement read, urging BLP to oppose Merchants’ application.
By the end of meeting, after some discussion with Cohn and a rep from HRPT who was present, BLP unanimously denied to recommend Merchants for a liquor license — but included a list of stipulations they would want if they were to grant them a license. Holozubiec noted, however, that unless the proposed beer garden was in violation of the 500-feet rule (which takes into consideration an establishment’s proximity to others with full liquor licenses), SLA was likely to grant the license.
The subject of the beer garden will be raised again at the next full board meeting of CB4, which will take place on Wed., Dec. 2, at the Fulton Center Auditorium (119 Ninth Ave., btw. W. 17th & W. 18th Sts.).
