City council delays decision to limit nightlife on 17th Ave

[nik-]

Julio's Barrio isn't about food, it's about drinking Bulldogs until you think you can fly.

[saskflames69]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Was he even around when I was falling down the stairs at 3 Cheers?

Electric Avenue. 3 Cheers.

What?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by nik-

Julio's Barrio isn't about food, it's about drinking Bulldogs until you think you can fly.

And stealing hats.

[Mr.Coffee]

Why is our civic government worried about this stupid petty BS?

Go work on stuff that matters.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by saskflames69

Electric Avenue. 3 Cheers.

What?

Isn't it past your bedtime? The adults are talking here

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

My wife and I bought I home a few blocks away from 17th Ave specifically because we wanted to live in close proximity to the restaurants and nightlife of Calgary's only real "entertainment district".

Our bar-hopping party days are long behind us, but I'm not bothered at all by young people having fun in our neighbourhood. As somebody already mentioned, the noise from ridiculously loud motorbikes is BY FAR a greater nuisance. I wish the city would do something about that (are you reading this, Bunk?!).

They did. They completely sh#t the bed with their sound-trap instrument, and executing it.

They had some guy pointing the device it from a brand new tinted out Ford F-150,

HELLO. We've been conditioned to slow down when we see anything of that nature.

Bunk
Here's how they execute:
MK3 VW Jetta in front of the Ship & Anchor.
E46 BMW 325 in front of Melrose Bar.

You're welcome.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I wish I had a clear memory of Electric Ave, then I could properly miss it. I would love to know how much money I pissed away, God Bless, sniff sniff

This might refresh you memory.

Something tells me you are the guy in sweats......because I am pretty sure the denim, cheap Patrick Swayze knock off is one of my buddies older brothers... who is like 52 now.

http://www.break.com/video/funny-street-fight-715376

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by pylon

This might refresh you memory.

Something tells me you are the guy in sweats......because I am pretty sure the denim, cheap Patrick Swayze knock off is one of my buddies older brothers... who is like 52 now.

http://www.break.com/video/funny-street-fight-715376

This is what Electric Ave. degenerated into -- guys in sweatpants and mullets fighting in the streets. And there were also hookers.

The modern day equivalent would be guys with fake tans and frosted tips fighting in the streets. And there would also be hookers.

I live near 17th. I don't care about noise, and sidestepping the occasional Drinker's Dinner on the sidewalk isn't really a big deal to me either.

But whatever they do or don't do, they simply can't let it turn into another Electric Avenue.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Why is our civic government worried about this stupid petty BS?

Go work on stuff that matters.

17th Avenue is one of our most important streets. Considering its safety and vitality is hardly petty BS.

[Mr.Coffee]

I think we disagree on the words safety and vitality then.

[Daradon]

I like the 50% rule too. Part of the appeal of 17th is that it does have kitchy stores and other things to do than just drink. This will prevent it from going the way of electric ave.

Don't get me wrong, I likes my bar time, and I loved it as the red mile, but 50% bars per block is still a LOT of that.

One can complain about the lack of nightlife and evening attractions in Calgary and they would have a point, but I don't think 17th is part of the problem, it's a great area.

Have to agree with the perception of the NIMBY's in the area though. If you don't want noise, don't live by 17th ave.,

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Why is our civic government worried about this stupid petty BS?

Go work on stuff that matters.

I don't understand, when I think of local politics stuff like this is what they should be doing, no?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Very true with the Manhattan aspect, however New York has many districts whereby its known to be a night destination with nightlife and a vibrant atmosphere. There is literally no need for more in New York or any of the other cities I have even commented on.

Oddly enough, I've been informed that New York has had a 50% Block-Face rule in place for some time now.

While I do believe that Calgary's nightlife is hurting, I'm not really opposed to a 50% Block-Face rule. It might not prevent an area from declining into periodic chaos, as it only takes one bad apple, but it will help contain the spoilage until the bad apple can be rightfully tossed. Additionally, it might actually be a useful planning tool.

Although I don't believe there are many areas along the strip approaching 50% concentration, when this does occur the rule might help spread the resto-driven development/redevelopment to areas of 17th in need of rejuvenation.

[jofillips]

hey, local government is doing a great job as far as I see - Calgary can't be seen to have character now can it??
People may be having fun here, that cannot and never will be allowed!

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by jofillips

hey, local government is doing a great job as far as I see - Calgary can't be seen to have character now can it??
People may be having fun here, that cannot and never will be allowed!

I don't see anything wrong with council discussion ANY crazy idea's which have a decent amount of support behind them, we pay them to do so.

I just hope this one gets shut down, 17th is really developing nicely.

[Muta]

I'm surprised we don't have a district like the Gaslamp District in San Diego. Here we're worrying about one strip of road, and yet, we should have an entire district, IMO.

Can't the government focus on something more important? Like, perhaps, getting ANOTHER 17th going?

[JD]

Originally Posted by Muta

I'm surprised we don't have a district like the Gaslamp District in San Diego.

Oh man, that place is just awesome. And it's not just there... a lot of cities have those kinds of awesome districts (Denver, Nashville, New Orleans (special case), even Ottawa). But is this one of those things like our transit where we're comparing Calgary's to cities of much larger magnitude? If you go to Edmonton, it's essentially the same thing, one interesting strip (Whyte) and not much else. Or how about age of the city? Calgary is still a very young city and there hasn't been a lot of time for these things to organically grow. Especially considering the cultural change this city is experiencing... with that, I mean, from the 80's attitude of a friendly small-town-big-city to the more cosmopolitan, internationally-recognized place that it is becoming. We're even talking about it here... the transition from the ridiculousness of Electric in the 80's, early 90's, to a more varied and interesting experience found on 17th today.

And to further that, once the Stampede Trail developments start coming along and Vic Park and the East Village become more of destinations and the Riverwalk is a full reality, you'll have almost a continuous entertainment district running from Inglewood through the Stampede district to Mission and the Beltline, out west along 17th and NW towards Kensington. This is decades away, but I think as the city grows and matures, that should be the vision.

I see lots of potential for this city, and that's part of why I get worried when council feels like they need to step in. I hope they share my vision... I admit I know almost nothing about how cities grow and develop and how policies shape that, so I don't know if this latest discussion is the city stepping in to foster that development or if they're killing it. As I said in my other post, I'm disappointed in the way Electric was basically extinguished within a couple years. It might actually have been for the better, I'm too self-centred to know for sure.

Anyway... there's a bunch of thinking-out-loud for you.

[undercoverbrother]

Is there a law stipulating how early places can start serving booze?

[AltaGuy]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Is there a law stipulating how early places can start serving booze?

10AM and it's quite the process to get that relaxed for a special event like a Champion's League game, etc...