A Tavern Grows in Fair Haven?

At a time when City Hall is seeking to close down problem neighborhood bars, Lou’s Lodge at the corner of Clay and Blatchley is getting a thumbs up from city officials — but a thumbs down from neighbors.

p(clear). In an appearance before the aldermanic Community Development Committee this week, owner Lou Ornato (right in photo) presented his case. He already owns half the parking lot, he said, and wants to purchase the rest, a 2,000 square foot sliver just up Blatchley from the bar, from the city, both to serve as additional parking for his lunchtime customers and to provide for parking for his seven tenants, who live above the bar. Ornato’s family has been in business in the area for 50 years

p(clear). According to Livable City Initiative (LCI) officer Frank D’Amore, who was there to support the proposal, Ornato has promised to pave the currently unused parcel, which adjoins his commercial property, as well as to landscape, light, and fence it. He also promised to lock it at eight at night.

p(clear). Still the community appears to be opposed. This man, Celestino Cordova, who lives in the area, presented some of the reasons for opposition. ​“What does a bigger parking lot really do for economic development?” he asked. Then he added, ​“The neighbors don’t like the lot to be used for the bar. We need it for housing, for other economic development, better uses.”

p(clear). Committee member Alderwoman Andrea Jackson-Brooks of the Hill pointed out that Ornato already owns half the lot, and that the half in question was therefore not buildable, or useable for other economic development. Hill Alderwoman Jackie James said, ​“You and [Fair Haven] Alderwoman Migdalia Castro should explain to your constituents that this appears to be a good deal… I’d sell every empty lot in my district.” And she urged Castro to meet again with Ornato to discuss the matter. (Castro missed the meeting because of work obligations.)

p(clear). Ornato replied that he had met with Castro a number of months ago, and she simply told him the neighbors do not like a bar in the area. Next entered into the debate was a formal letter from Castro expressing her opposition as well as that of the Fair Haven Management Team. ​“The parking lot proposed,” concludes the alderwoman’s letter, ​“seems to be a threat for the area residents, who basically are families with small children.”

p(clear). Ornato countered that it was in his view essentially a commercial area. Then he presented a letter in support of his character and the way he runs his business from Sgt. Vin Anastasio, who used to be the district manager of Fair Haven. The neighborhood police substation sits virtually across the street from Lou’s Lodge.

p(clear). Anastasio’s letter praises Ornato for upholding the quality of life in the area. It praises him for being helpful to the police, including often calling them on their cell phones, even initiating several arrests of unruly people in the area of business. The letter also praises Ornato for his efforts even to feed the homeless, and to keep the area around his establishment safe. It concludes by saying the business should not be allowed to be disturbed and that he may well be a ​“victim of undeserved criticism.”

p(clear). Committee chairman Ed Mattison ruled that in light of the discussion, as well as the many calls committee members had received on the matter — and especially out of respect for Alderwoman Castro’s absence — the matter is to be discharged, without recommendation, to the full board for further consideration next month.

p(clear). ​“That will give Migdalia a chance to talk to Mr. Ornato,” Jackson-Brooks said. ​“There seems to be some misunderstanding here.”

p(clear). Reached by phone a day after these proceedings, Alderwoman Castro, although she had not heard the results, did not change her position when the news was conveyed. ​“Look,” she said, ​“a half of a small parking lot for a bar is not going to make the city much richer, but it is likely to bring a whole lot of pain to the neighborhood.”

p(clear). When asked to explain further, she added: “[Fair Haven] Alderwoman [Erin] Sturgis-Pascale and I walked the area and talked to the neighbors. They describe drug dealing and shooting. Nobody wants to use the parking lot for such purposes. The Fair Haven Management Team voted unanimously not to approve of this use, including Norma Franceschi [co-chair of GAVA, the Grand Avenue Village Association]. We’re a neighborhood of growing families, little kids, and we have a beautiful new school being put up on the corner [Columbus Family Academy, being built on Grand and Blatchley]. I’m sorry, why is the mayor monitoring bars in other parts of the city, but here in Fair Haven no? I’m willing to have further conversation about this, but not with me alone, but at a community meeting. I will absolutely not support something my community is opposed to.”

p(clear). Stay tuned.