Bardo has had their liquor licence denied because the Nats protested against it. The reasons given were that it would be too noisy, too loud to sit next to a baseball stadium. That there is not enough parking, 45,000 fans can get to Nats Park but there is not enough parking for a bar next to the ballpark. That there would be an issue with pedestrian safety, because nobody crosses the street to go to the ballpark.
Thanks to JD Land for the link:
IV. Gregory McCarthy
22. Gregory McCarthy serves as the Vice-President for Community Engagement with the
Washington Nationals Baseball Club. Id. at 219-20. The Washington Nationals have used the
stadium near the proposed location to play baseball for at least eight years. Id. at 220. In total,
approximately 1,000 events have been held at the stadium in the last eight years. Id.
23. Mr. McCarthy discussed the traffic control plan related to the use of the stadium. Id. at
222. During events, the city relies on a Transportation Operations and Parking Plan (TOPP)
negotiated between the local ANC, the District Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan
Police Department, and the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District. Id. The TOPP is
adjusted on a yearly basis and does not take into account the Applicant's proposed operations
outside the stadium. Id. at 222,236.
24. Mr. McCarthy noted that the TOPP describes the ideal amount of people and resources
needed for game days; however, it does not guarantee that the necessary amount of staff and
resources will be present. Id. at 228. Indeed, on one occasion a vehicle broke down on South
Capitol Street, S.E., which forced police officers to be diverted from their station at a nearby
intersection. Id.
25. Further, on game days, as part of the TOPP, Potomac Avenue, S.E., "is [only] closed to
outside traffic," and 1st Street, S.E., M Street, S.E., and the nearby bridge entrance are closed to
outside traffic as well. Id. On game days, 600 cars using the stadium's "Garage C" and the 150
cars using the "Lot A" parking lot, all enter and exit these areas by means of Potomac Avenue,
S.E. Id. at 222-23. Therefore, at least 750 vehicles will use Potomac Avenue, S.E., after the 7th
inning on game days. Id. at 223.
26. Mr. McCarthy also discussed the public transportation available in the neighborhood. Id.
at 223. Specifically, the last train on the Red Line ends service at II :20 p.m. between Sunday
and Thursday; therefore, all baseball game attendees that rely on Metro must be on the train at
that time. Id. at 223.
27. Mr. McCarthy discussed the parking available in the neighborhood. Id. at 223.
Specifically, many parking lots available during game days over the last eight years are
undergoing construction and will be converted into residences. Id. at 223. As a result, the
neighborhood will soon lose approximately 2,000 to 3,000 parking spaces. Id.
28. Finally, Mr. McCarthy discussed pedestrian and vehicular safety. Id. at 224.
Specifically, in the past, the area has had issues with people crossing South Capitol Street, S.E.,
which led to one traffic fatality. Id. In response, barriers were placed on the South Capitol
Street, S.E., to prevent dangerous street crossings. Id. In 2015, another fatality almost occurred
near the corner of South Capitol Street, S.E., and Potomac Avenue, S.E., because vehicles
coming from the bridge carmot see the traffic light, the cross walk, and crossing guard due to the
curve of the road. Id. at 227. The Board also credits testimony that after the 7th inning, large
buses transporting game attendees park in the westbound lane of Potomac Avenue, S.E., which
would reduce the visibility of Bardo's patrons as they attempt to cross the street and encourage
them to cross between buses. Id. at 226.
http://www.jdland.com/dc/pdf-view.cfm?filename=floridarock-160316-bardoabraruling.pdf
