The Knockdown Center has hosted a number of different events since its inception, including a weekly flea market. Residents said they have been most concerned about events that could draw thousands of drunken revelers to the area, such as a concert. File Photo
Controversy surrounding Maspeth’s Knockdown Center reached a new milestone Tuesday when the state Liquor Authority voted down its application for a license.
Elected officials and residents of the mid-Queens community have long opposed the 52-19 Flushing Ave. space that has been used for art shows and concerts, arguing the venue would become a magnet to misconduct and unruly youths abusing drugs or alcohol. The liquor license denial was applauded throughout such communities this week, as it prevented the center from selling booze to more than 600 people.
“I would like to thank the state liquor authority for listening to the concerns of my constituents and I had regarding the Knockdown Center and applaud them for supporting this community,” said state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), who was just one of the many against the center’s liquor license application. “This is a vital step in preserving residents’ quality of life and maintaining the needed level of neighborhood safety.”
But the fight was not won for those against the center. Addabbo said he and other members of the CB 5 community, including state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and state Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood), would continue working to ensure the Knockdown Center does not get in the way of keeping the community safe.
The SLA board ruled against the liquor license request ultimately because of a lack of public transportation surrounding the site, coupled with consistent community opposition, officials said.
Knockdown Center manager Tyler Myers had been doing his part to meet each of the community’s concerns, agreeing to snip the overall capacity of the venue down from 5,000 to 3,100 people and walking through the property with the 104th Precinct to discuss safety issues. But the efforts still fell short in his attempt to earn the state’s trust when it comes to securing its cabaret license.
Myers did not return requests for comment, but did defend his efforts to address any concerns in a letter addressed to Dennis Rosen, chairman of the New York liquor authority.
Patrons gather at the Knockdown Center in Maspeth. File Photo
“I believe we demonstrated an operational acumen that provided some relief to the precinct’s concerns,” he wrote in the letter. “While I have no doubt that they will monitor us closely and still have some concerns about public safety as people make their way to and from our property, I believe the resultant mood as the meeting ended was a testament to the care and thought we have put into how to execute our plans with a minimum of negative impact on our community, our precinct and our guests.”
The decision to block the cabaret liquor license came the same week as one of the Knockdown Center’s premier events was scheduled to hit the stage. Pop icon M.I.A. was scheduled to perform there Friday, May 9th, headlining an event some members of Community Board 5, including District Manager Gary Giordano, expressed worry over at last month’s board meeting.
Another M.I.A. performance was originally scheduled for May 8, but that show was cancelled for what many believed was a lack of ticket sales. Tickets for the May 8 show were being honored on May 9, however.
The Knockdown Center was once home to a glass and door factory before it was transformed into the multi-purpose space it is today. Among various art shows and music events, the center also hosts a weekly flea market. Management has been working for weeks to secure a Place of Assembly and Certificate of Occupancy with consistent assertions that it would not be as bad as many have argued, calling it part of an ongoing infiltration of the hipster-centric Bushwick and Williamsburg nightlife scenes.
By Phil Corso
