The Anchorage Assembly made an unusual decision Tuesday night to conditionally protest the transfer of a liquor license to a downtown business owner.
The action sets the stage for a formal proceeding Jan. 27, centering on whether a new restaurant and lounge about to move into the building previously occupied by the Platinum Jaxx nightclub should serve alcohol.
By Dec. 23, the Assembly must give notice of the opposition and include the grounds for the protest. People who live, work and own property near the building at Sixth Avenue and I Street, in addition to businesses and the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, have opposed the transfer of the license, citing crime and more troubles associated with Platinum Jaxx and other downtown nightlife venues serving alcohol.
At the January hearing, Robert Alexander, owner of the LED Ultra Lounge and Tri-Grill Restaurant, will be given a chance to respond. Alexander has said he does not plan to operate a nightclub and instead envisions a business like Humpy's Bar and Grill, emphasizing food and music.
The Assembly will decide after that hearing whether there is enough evidence to formally protest the license transfer to the state Alcohol Beverage Control Board.
Older trailers exempted from registration tax
In other action Tuesday night, the Assembly approved an element of a proposal by members Amy Demboski and Bill Evans to opt into a statewide program that allows dropping of registration fees for old vehicles and trailers.
While the Assembly did not support exempting old vehicles, starting in January 2017, owners of trailers older than 8 years will no longer be required to pay biennial registration taxes.
Municipal treasurer Daniel Moore estimated that about 23,000 noncommercial trailers are registered in Anchorage, generating about $210,000 in biennial registration taxes.