Bottoms Up 'College Night" remains on hold - for now

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)....College night at a popular Chippewa Street bar remains on hold - at least until September, much to the dismay of its leadership team.

The Buffalo Common Council's Legislative Committee opted to table a request from Bottoms Up for a "College Night" special permit despite hearing passioned plea from several supporters.

College Night targets college and university students - some of whom are under 21 years of age - for a Thursday night special event. College Night has been run by Bottoms Up for the past 15 years. College Nights are marketed as 18 and up special events.

But, to run the event, Bottoms Up needs the council-backed special use permit.

"Without College Night, Chippewa is a ghost town on Thursdays," said Tim Walton, Bottoms Up general manager.

The issue is Bottoms Up is being painted with the same public perception brush as recent violent incidents on Chippewa Street during the July 4th weekend.

Walton said Bottoms Up was closed that weekend.

"College kids are not the problem," Walton said.

Jacob Tiorkowski, Bottoms Up attorney, said his client like other Chippewa Street and downtown businesses "want the same thing."

"We all want a safer, calmer downtown," Tiokowski said.

Downtown leaders are concerned that the recent waves of weekend violence - often caused by teens and not college students - is working against efforts to attract more people into the central business district either as residents or businesses.

Buffalo Place Inc. supports the proposed 21 and over rule for Chippewa Street that's currently under review by the council.

"It (perception of violence) effects all of downtown," said Steve Carmina, Buffalo Place Inc. chairman.

Chris Ring, Chippewa Alliance president, said the end game is to create a safe, welcoming Chippewa and downtown experience.

Enforcing the 21-plus crowd would be a big step forward, Ring said.

The council, after today, is on summer break until Sept. 1. No vote is expected until there.