COMET Wants Knockdown Ctr. Stopped
The contentious debate surrounding the Knockdown Center in Maspeth continues to make news as members of the Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together (COMET) civic association signed a petition against its liquor license application at the meeting Monday, Apr. 7.
That noise got even a bit louder with the announcement that controversial rapper and musician M.I.A. will play the center May 8 and 9 of this year.
Many residents active in their local community boards have already said they oppose the granting of a liquor license for the venue and nearly all local lawmakers with constituent districts in the vicinity have publicly taken the same position.
At the COMET monthly meeting Christina Wilkinson, a local activist circulated a petition asking for signatures in opposition of the center’s liquor license application.
In contrast to some of Crowley’s statements in support of the cultural and artistic elements of the center, Wilkinson echoed the concerns of other residents that feel if a liquor license is granted, Maspeth will have a full-blown nightclub in the neighborhood
“This is not about us not supporting the arts,” Wilkinson said at Monday’s meeting, “but why do you need a liquor license to arts events?”
Chief among their concerns are fear of drunken recklessness disturbing the quiet streets of Maspeth. Those opposed are also anxious that noise, lack of parking and consumption of illicit drugs will have a negative effect on the surrounding community.
Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has stated her support for the arts and cultural aspects of the center, but has not taken a position on the liquor license or nightclub issues.
Owners recently applied for both a liquor license and a public assembly permit. The assembly application asked for a 5,000 capacity space that would allow the venue to hold music shows and larger gatherings than Queens Community Board 5, which covers parts of Maspeth would like.
The board opposes both the license and the permit, and drafted a letter last month to make their position clear.
M.I.A., born Mathangi Arulpragasam, is a British recording artist and songwriter. Many of her songs and accompanying music videos feature political and social issues, leading to much of the divisiveness that has surrounded her career.
A video released for the track “Born Free” in 2010, which showed explicit violence and military force was met with controversy and ultimately banned by Youtube in this country and the United Kingdom.
She also courted controversy when she performed a song she cowrote with Madonna and Nicki Minaj at the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show.
During the performance, instead of mumbling, or not saying an expletive word in the song, she raised her middle finger to the camera.
The Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together civic association generally meets on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. the Bethzatha Church of God, located at 85-20 57th Ave. in Elmhurst.
