Yesterday, we posted a story about Jesse Hartman's continuing struggle to open "Grand Park," a glass-enclosed restaurant on Grand Street. In June, Community Board 3 agreed to support his application for a liquor license. But because Hartman and his prospective landlord, the Seward Park Housing Corp., have been in protracted lease negotiations, he must ask CB3 for an extension. A Seward Park Co-op resident, Ernest Marshall, will be coming to the board's SLA Committee Monday night to oppose Hartman's plan.

In a phone conversation a short time ago, Marshall told me he does not want to see any more bars or restaurants serving liquor in the vicinity of the co-op. "It's not a night club neighborhood – it's a quiet, peaceful neighborhood," he said. In a letter distributed to all Seward Park residents, Marshall questioned why the co-op would "support an establishment that has the capability of converting to a bar/disco." He also expressed concern about opening a restaurant near a high school (the Seward Park campus is on the next block) and asked why the restaurant, described in CB3's resolution as "family friendly," needs a liquor license and has asked to stay open past 11pm. 

Continue reading A “Grand Park” Critic Speaks Out