Councilman, Manayunk Withhold Support From 3 a.m. Bar Bill

Whether or not a City Council bill at Philadelphia bars gains any traction, the Manayunk community and its councilman won't support it.

Originally a co-sponsor of the bill to fund Philadelphia schools through an alternate channel with Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown (D-At-large),  withdrew his support, a spokesperson said.

"Although Councilman Jones is supportive of alternative efforts to assist public education and increase funds for the City of Philadelphia as of Wednesday, Feb. 1 he is no longer a co-sponsor of this bill," spokersperson Michelle Wilson said.

Neighborhood groups, like the Manayunk Neighborhood Council and the Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association, have already come out against the plan.

What Manayunk Businesses Think

On Thursday, Executive Director Jane Lipton said in a survey, about two-thirds opposed the additional hour for alcohol. Respondents—totaling 27—included bars, restaurants, retail shops and residents.

Despite being able to remain open longer, Manayunk bars, Lipton said, mostly opposed the proposed bill, too.

"Looking at the comments, my feeling is that bars align with the general public," she said, citing that expenditures for later staff and cleanup wasn't worth the effort.

Reynolds Brown originally proposed the plan as a way to offset the 's $61 million deficit. Her estimates accounted for $5 million in additional revenue.

Lipton said businesses felt, as others have pointed out, that $5 million wasn't substantial enough to generate the headaches.

"Some owners said, 'If we can't count on the police at 2 a.m. why would it be better at 3 a.m.?" Lipton said.

Exceptions?

One potential caveat floated by Reynolds Brown is areas with significant neighborhood opposition could keep the 2 a.m. closing time. However, Lipton said for some Manayunk owners, it was all or nothing.

"They feel that if the whole city has a 3 a.m. time and Manayunk is exempted, that would hurt us," she said.

Since the bill was assigned to the Committee of the Whole in January, it's lost the public eye. Currently, the MDC has decided to let the bill work itself out.

"Our belief is that it will resolve itself without us having to get into the debate. We understand that the city is in financial trouble... So an idea was floated and it has had lots of discussion," she said. "We don't think we need to weigh in."

To read the bill, click here.