Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Depending on who is talking a proposed city ordinance that would limit those going to a Chippewa Street bar, night club or restaurant would have to be at least 21 years of age or older is either a workable solution or a hard to enforce regulation that may actually hurt, not help some of the businesses in the popular downtown Buffalo entertainment district.
The 21-and-over ordinance discussion was been greenlighted by the Buffalo Corporation Counsel's office - a move that allows the Buffalo Common Council to at least begin a formal discussion, hold public hearings and potentially vote on the issue.
Potentially it could take effect on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and some nights like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
But none of that will likely happen until the fall because the Common Council is on the verge of taking its annual August/summer break.
The issue has come the forefront in recent weeks, following back-to-back weekends on July 4th and July 11th where police were forced to deal with rowdy crowds, fights and at least one shooting - all mostly coming from a 21 and younger crowd.
"It has become a huge issue," says Mitch Nowakowski, Fillmore District Councilman whose district includes much of Chippewa Street and is championing the 21 and over ordinance.
Already a cash-poor city, Buffalo spent more than $1 million on police patrols and dealing with the Chippewa Street issues in recent weeks.
This past weekend, traffic was barricaded from traveling on portions of Chippewa and Franklin Streets and police issued 77 appearance tickets for people loitering with open beverage containers.
Mayor Sean Ryan and Deputy Mayor Eugenio Russi both toured Chippewa Street on Saturday night.
Nowakowski said he would prefer a scenario where heavily traveled portions of Chippewa Street are closed to traffic on weekend nights and patrons must show proof that they are at least 21 years or older.
Those measures work in other cities like Rochester and Burlington, Vermont - among others.
But Tim Walton, Bottoms Up general manager, said those measures would kill his nightclub's business.
Bottoms Up features college nights - usually on Thursday nights - 18 and over special events.
"It could kill us," Walton said.
Bar owners from Bottoms Up and Venu are asking Ryan to veto any 21 and over ordinance.
Nowakowski dismisses those claims.
"They are making a lot of money off 18-, 19- and 20-years-olds," the councilman said. "In fact, they are making a lot of money off other's back."
In addition to the extra police costs, Nowakowski feels recent reports of Chippewa Street fights and rowdy antics hurts Buffalo's image at a time when there is a concerted effort to restore downtown - and by extension - the city's pre-Covid swagger and mojo.
Ryan is making a big push to bring more residents and businesses back into the city.
Special events like what developer Rocco Termini is creating along Ellicott Street in downtown is helping and serves as a perceptual counter balance to Chippewa Street.
"Unfortunately, all of Buffalo and downtown is, right now, being painted with the same brush," Nowakowski said.
Buffalo leaders are considering a 21-and-over age restriction for Chippewa Street
Buffalo leaders are considering a 21-and-over age restriction for Chippewa Street
