By Sarina Trangle
The Knockdown Center’s drinks will stay virgin — for now.
The state Liquor Authority denied the Maspeth art center’s application for a liquor and cabaret license to serve more than 600 customers.
But the Knockdown Center, at 52-19 Flushing Ave., may renew its bid to mature the menu into one with alcoholic beverages.
William Crowley, a spokesman for the SLA, said the Knockdown Center requested that the disapproval be deemed a final decision so the applicant can challenge it in court without exhausting other administrative remedies.
SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen said he doubted further reviews would reverse the denial.
“I really see no community support for this at all,” he said.
Maspeth has railed against the venue since it began hosting events in the former glass factory with temporary permits in August 2012.
The Knockdown Center sought to build its business by taking steps to secure a permanent public assembly permit for up to 5,000 attendees and applying for a cabaret and liquor license.
Tyler Myers, manager of the Knockdown Center, said the venue planned to host classes, artist residences and exhibits as well as rent out the space for private parties.
But the surrounding community argued the Knockdown Center’s portrayal as an arts center belied its intentions of appealing to young party-goers. Neighbors worried the center’s patrons would disrupt residential blocks while walking the roughly three-quarters of a mile to the nearest subway station and that large crowds could strain the 104th Precinct.
An online petition opposing the Knockdown Center received roughly 140 signatures.
More than 440 people signed an online petition supporting the Knockdown Center, but the SLA said few names on the list came from addresses in the surrounding community.
The authority was slated to rule on the application in late April, but tabled the matter for two weeks and gave the Knockdown Center time to submit paperwork detailing its security plan.
The venue then offered to reduce its admission cap to 3,100 and agreed to fill the facility only up to capacity for fewer than half of its events, but that did not appease neighbors.
Maspeth was particularly on edge about two concerts featuring rapper M.I.A. slated for Thursday and Friday.
The first show appears to have since been canceled.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
