SoHo residents oppose planned members’ club and event space at 45 Howard Street

Summary

Neighbors told Community Board 2 they oppose a pair of liquor license applications for a private club and a third‑floor catering establishment at 45 Howard Street, saying past rooftop and courtyard events damaged skylights and created noise, safety and access problems. Applicants agreed to split the filing and to return for another hearing.

Neighbors and the applicant spent more than two hours debating a liquor‑license application for 45 Howard Street on the meeting agenda of Community Board 2, with residents urging the board to press for acoustical studies, clarified hours and separate notices for two distinct license requests.

The applicants sought liquor authority approval for two separate uses at 45 Howard: a third‑floor catering establishment for third‑party events, and a private members’ club to operate on the fourth and fifth floors (and provide member access to a roof area). The organization filing the applications described itself as a nonprofit cultural center and said the rooftop would not be used for alcohol service in the current filing.

Residents said the building’s historic, cast‑iron construction transmits sound to adjacent apartments and that earlier events at the address already damaged skylights and triggered calls to police. “We don’t need any more…

SoHo residents oppose planned members’ club and event space at 45 Howard Street

Summary

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