Dual Events Raise Questions

City officials are still weighing the pros and cons of having two downtown events on the same September weekend. Nightclub owner Edison Garcia will find out Monday whether he can hold his fourth annual Central American Independence celebration, while Rodney Maree has already received City Council permission for his first outdoor event.

Garcia has been holding events in July and September in Municipal Parking Lots 8 and 8A between Somerset Street and Watchung Avenue (lower left on Google image above). Maree is planning his event for Municipal Lot 1, behind the Chez Maree nightclub and the Strand Theater, with an entrance off Watchung Avenue (top, center). Garcia's events have drawn huge crowds and Maree said Monday he has spent $25,000 on advertising and also expects a large crowd. Both events are planned for Sept. 15 and 16.

Public safety and parking were the two major concerns voiced by officials at Monday's City Council agenda-fixing session. Garcia said he hires city police and also has his own security. His July 7 event this year went off without a single incident, he said.

Maree said he understands that he will have to pay for police coverage. But he also complained that he submitted his paperwork and had received no response from Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig, who has to sign off on the event. Hellwig said Maree applied earlier for another event and was told to "touch base with me," but never did. For the September event, Hellwig said, he had received Maree's paperwork "within the last week or to," but was holding it pending what he understood to be some discussion between Maree and Garcia about alternate dates.

Maree said he just wanted the same opportunity as Garcia.

Councilman William Reid asked Hellwig whether he thought police would need county or state assistance to handle public safety for the dual events, but Hellwig said he did not normally request help. He said the situation would strain police, but added, "I believe this is the last time we have to do this."

Hellwig then said police will be able to handle the events.

Councilwoman Annie McWilliams questioned the approval procedures, saying the decision should rest on who applied first, not on the basis of whether an individual had "history" on using a date. Council President Adrian Mapp said he would agree if two individuals wanted the same location, but two different parking lots were involved.

"Quite frankly, I think it's great to have two events," Mapp said, noting they will bring different cultures to the city.

Councilman Cory Storch asked whether both would have amplified outdoor music that might conflict. but Maree said, "The problem will be parking."

Maree said when he tried to get approvals for his initial event, featuring nationally-known musicians such as Chris Brown and Drake, parking issues led to his request being denied.

The events will prevent use of 152 spaces on Lot 1 and 145 on Lots 8 and 8A. Visitors will have to seek alternative places to park, but the city does not have signage directing people to other lots. See Plaintalker's parking lot survey here.

Despite the concerns, Mapp said, "I say to both of you, make us proud."

Mapp said he will ask Special Improvement District officials to report back on the impact the events may have on downtown business.

The regular meeting at which Garcia's request will be voted on is 8 p.m. Monday (Aug. 20) in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.

--Bernice