by Eric Marion

February 24, 2009

Providence restaurant and nightclub owners launched a new association at State on February 23. The Providence Nightlife Association is the product of two years of effort by Mirabar owner John Dorr. Divine Providence has tracked Dorr's initiative since October 2007 when Dorr first met with Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman to discuss downtown muggings. The muggings had previously been reported and brought to public attention by Divine Providence. As a result of public interest on the issue, Esserman requested a meeting at the behest of Mayor Cicilline with club owners to discuss concerns about this and other issues brought to City Hall's attention.

The PNA has its roots in what at the time was perceived as homophobia in the Providence Police Department. In the initial meetings, Esserman sought to assuage concerns by gay nightclub owners that they were being targeted by police officers. The discussions led to the implementation of a roving police detail on weekends. The cost of the police detail was subsequently assessed to Downcity nightclubs, further exacerbating tension between City Hall and nightclub owners.

Dorr continued his efforts in demanding fair treatment for gay nightclubs and found an ally in City Councillor John Lobardi (D-Federal Hill). Lombardi called for subsequent meetings with gay nightclub owners, and was educated on what was perceived as unfair treatment of gay nightclubs at City Hall. Lombardi investigated the treatment of nightclubs across Providence and discovered that nightclubs and liquor establishments were not subject to uniform rules or equitable treatment before the licensing board and other municipal entities.

Meanwhile, the Mayor's Office implemented a controversial approach to limiting the impact of rowdy weekend visitors to Downcity. Designed by Stephanie Frederico, the plan channels traffic into central entrance and exit points on weekends after 10 pm and blocks off certain streets to traffic during those times. Business owners continue to express dissatisfaction with this approach to traffic management.

Divine Providence continued public attacks on the City Hall in an effort to keep nightclub owners' concerns on the forefront. In November 2007, Divine Providence Editor Eric Marion issued a sharp rebuke of the Mayor's office when a meeting was cancelled on the issue of Downcity Violence, perceived homophobia in the Providence Police Department, and unequitable treatment of gay nightclubs. In the letter, Marion demonstrated a lack of transparency in the Mayor's response to community concerns by demonstrating the 'selective' nature of participants invited to discuss nightclub owners' concerns. The article was a response to both the cancellation of the much-anticipated summit and a public rebuke of Esserman's stated distaste for media coverage on the issue.

In 2008, a handful of nightclub related high profile murders brought more unwanted public attention to Providence's thriving nightlife. Facing higher costs to do business and negative publicity in media outlets such as the Providence Journal and WPRI, Dorr redoubled his efforts by approaching every nightclub and restaurant in Downcity Providence about combating the negative publicity in the media and costly fees imposed by City Hall. The result of Dorr's efforts was the development of a network of like-minded business owners who were dissatisfied with the treatment they were receiving from City Hall and municipal agencies such as the licensing board.

During this time, the real estate 'bubble' had introduced new residents to Downcity who became increasingly vocal about noise and crime attributed to nightclubs. As public sentiment turned against nightclubs, nightclub owners increasingly became more willing to communicate with each other on shared issues. Dorr made headway with gay nightclub owners and continued to meet and speak with owners throughout 2008 as gay nightclub owners led the fight for equitable treatment by the press and City Hall. In a meeting in the fall of 2008, John Lombardi called once again took up the mantle of leadership by spearheading an initiative to bring stakeholders together on the core issues. The prospects of a favorable outcome were dim for club owners. As reported in Divine Providence after the meeting the ongoing issues of violence, perceived homphobia, and the recently added layer of concerns over 'gentrification' of Downcity were causing many club owners to question the future of gay nightlife in Providence.

Out of the 2008 meeting Lombardi developed a plan to bring in an outside consultant who specialized in the issues raised. The consultant visited a number of straight and gay nightclubs and recommended the establishment of an association to break down the barriers which were preventing dialogue with the City, residents, and other affected businesses. The result was the establishment of the Providence Nightlife Association which officially launched on Monday.

The Association (http://pnari.com/ ) has developed key goals which are shared among nightclubs and restaurants. The goals include changing negative perceptions surrounding nightlife to a more positive focus on social, cultural and economic contributions; working relationship with community leaders, elected officials, and enforcement agencies; collaborating with lawmakers to review and draft new public policy on nightlife; the ability to self-police the nightlife industry; creating a higher level of respect and integrity as an industry.

Alex Tomasso was elected the PNA's first President, and presided over the first meeting with Dorr and Lombardi.