One neighbor started a petition against the proposed bar--he has 50 signatures--and the Washington State Liquor Control Board received three letters (including one from the community council) opposing Gallapaga's liquor license application. At a mid-November council meeting, Gallapaga presented his plans to a council committee, and encountered opposition from folks with typical concerns about a new bar opening in a residential area: Neighbors, worried about noise and scarce parking, said Gallapaga's place--especially with "Pints" as part of its name--isn't neighborhood friendly.
But a more interesting issue surfaced at the community council meeting. At least two council members questioned the new business' proximity to Seattle Pacific University--Pies and Pints would be just blocks away. The school prohibits its 3,600 students from drinking, on or off campus, whether they're 21 years old or not. A few council members came to the defense of SPU's anti-drinking policy, questioning whether Gallapaga should "tempt" students by selling alcohol so close to their dry campus. The neighbors' theory is that Pies and Pints could lure in SPU students--who sign a pledge saying they will not drink (or smoke) while attending the school. "[The students] don't need the temptation," one council member says.
Gallapaga might have avoided the council's SPU concern if students had been successful in changing the alcohol and tobacco policy last year. An SPU student senate committee examined the policy last fall, and considered changing it to reflect both the legal drinking age and SPU's dry-campus tradition. If the proposal had been passed by both the student senate and SPU's board of trustees, students over 21 would have been allowed to drink off campus (which, most likely, would have sparked a different set of concerns against Pies and Pints--like the fear of drunk students stumbling back to campus).
So what happened? The alcohol policy is a contentious issue at SPU, surfacing often in the student newspaper or student government. But opinions are varied: Many SPU students appreciate the policy, which keeps the school's focus on studying. Other students disagree or flat-out ignore the "lifestyle expectation contract" they sign when joining the school. Though only six students were disciplined for drinking on campus in 2001, a recent school survey indicated that 74 percent of students don't drink--leaving 26 percent who probably do.
But the recent effort to change the policy failed, because the committee "never came up with something to send to the trustees," explains SPU's student government executive vice-president, James Pedrick. "Students are not unified [either way] about the policy." Another committee may form this year to assess students' thoughts on the policy and the impact of drinking on SPU. College administrators did not return calls for comment.
If the new committee forms, it might be a first step toward modifying the policy and bringing it in line with those of Seattle's other large universities. Both Seattle University (in Capitol Hill) and the University of Washington (in the U-District) allow students of legal age to drink, on and off campus--and no one raises concerns about students' welfare when a new bar opens up near either school.
But even with the policy in place, SPU doesn't seem to mind a new bar in the neighborhood; the school has been more concerned this year with drinking at college parties (students talk about two infamous soirees this year, on Halloween and after a "date auction"). And Pedrick says he's more worried about a nearby minimart, where students can buy booze and bring it back onto campus. As long as Gallapaga's bar checks ID, Pedrick says, he doesn't think it'll be an issue for SPU. "It's one thing to say, 'Don't serve alcohol to people who are under 21,'" Pedrick says. "It's another thing to say, 'Don't serve it to an SPU student.' I think that would be taking it too far."
Gallapaga--who expects his business to be a family-friendly restaurant--says SPU never entered his mind when drawing up plans. "It's not a party place, it's a meeting place," he says. "We never wanted to be a college bar."
amy@ thestranger.com
