'Last call' at 4 a.m. in Atlanta? Official says city should study the idea

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall thinks it's time to take a fresh look at a controversial issue -- what time should last call for alcohol be yelled at bars and nightclubs in the city.

Hall introduced legislation Monday requesting the city study the revenue opportunities of expanding the hours to sell liquor from 2:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. City Council President Lisa Borders sent the legislation to the council's Finance/Executive committee for further discussion. Hall wants a summary report by Jan. 30.

Hall said the sales tax money from extending the hours could fund public safety improvements. He said the city could enact the longer hours in areas of Atlanta where it's more practical.

"I think we need to look at revenue," said Hall, whose district includes portions of Castleberry Hill, Midtown and the Old Fourth Ward, where nightlife is more prevalent than other parts of the city. "Who knows how many millions of dollars we've lost?"

The new legislation surprised several council members, who remembered the lengthy and divisive debates on the issue. The council voted in December 2003 to push back last call to 2:30 a.m. largely in response to complaints from Buckhead residents about intoxicated party-goers making a ruckus as they passed through their neighborhoods late at night. A series of shootings and other violence outside some clubs also prompted the changes.

Finance/Executive committee chairman Howard Shook, who represents much of Buckhead, gave a "thumbs-down" gesture with both hands when asked about the legislation. He said residents in his district won't accept any changes and said a study would be difficult with a new mayor taking office in January and the expected resignation of Police Chief Richard Pennington.

"This will be dead on arrival," Shook said.

Borders called the idea "absolutely irresponsible" with the widespread concerns that there are not enough cops on Atlanta's streets.

Buckhead Coalition president and former mayor Sam Massell said the possible revenue from an additional 90 minutes for party-goers to drink is not worth the potential trouble.

"This peace and tranquility for residents and visitors is more important than the visitor who feels the necessity for rowdiness and disturbing the peace," said Massell, who's also a board member of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.