Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.
Washington, DC 20001
Resolution
In opposition of Capital Food Mart’s application for a liquor license at its current establishment located at 1634 North Capitol ST NW, Washington, DC 20002.
TO: Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration
2000 14th Street NW, Suite 400S
Washington,DC
WHEREAS, the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc. is a community non-profit organization representing the residents of the community within the boundaries of North Capitol Street on the east, New Jersey Avenue on the west, Florida Avenue on the north and P and O Streets on the south ; and
WHEREAS, this small geographic area is saturated with liquor stores, including Johnson Liquors, Sunset Liquors, Big Ben Liquors, and Super Liquors, all located within a two block radius of Capital Food Mart; and
WHEREAS, the Bates Area Civic Association serves as a liaison between the residents of this community, Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 5C, the City Council and the District of Columbia Government on quality of life issues including: economic development, public safety, and human development; and.
WHEREAS, the additional issuing of liquor licenses in this already saturated neighborhood would be irresponsible and in disregard to the public safety of the residents within the boundaries of the Bates Area Civic Association and surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, this saturation of liquor stores allows for a high percentage of loitering, public intoxication, public urination and possession of open containers, which Metropolitan Police must address at both the Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street NW Park and the Florida Avenue and First Street NW Park; and
WHEREAS, many of the individuals who loiter under the influence of alcohol are transients who receive social services in the area, including meals at So Others May Eat (SOME); and
WHEREAS, in January of 2011, following a high profile homicide which occurred a few doors down from Capitol Food Mart, Mayor Vincent Gray, Council Member Harry Thomas, Jr., Chief of Police Cathy Lanier and key officials of several other D.C. government agencies joined with the president and other officers of the Bates Area Civic Association, representatives of other neighboring civic associations, other civic leaders and half of the sitting commissioners of ANC5C, on a vigil and community safety walk; and
WHEREAS, during the January 2011 vigil and community safety walk, participants on the walk observed and noted the litter of empty beer cans and bottles as well as excessive loitering in close proximity to existing liquor stores along theNorth Capitol Streetcorridor.
NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, on this 6th day of June, 2011:
1) That the Bates Area Civic Association, at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 6, 2011, voted, without opposition, to oppose the application of Capital Food Mart for a license to offer alcoholic beverages for sale at its 1634 North Capitol Street, N.W. store liquor license; and
2) That the Bates Area Civic Association is in full support of the protest that has been filed by citizens opposed to the Capitol Food Mart liquor license application; and
3) That, in the interest of the public safety of our community, the Bates Area Civic Association recommends and requests that the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration of theDistrict of Columbiadeny the pending liquor license application of Capitol Food Mart.
Respectfully submitted,
Geovani A. Bonilla
President, Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.
Cc: Chief Cathy Lanier
5th District Metropolitan Police Commander, Andrew Solberg
Ward 5 Council Member, Harry Thomas, Jr.
5C01 Commissioner, Bradley Thomas
Bates Area Civic Association 