St. Paul Bar Owner Closing Earlier To Stay Safe
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A St. Paul bar owner says he's closing his doors one hour earlier each night to keep safe.
Big V's Saloon sits right along the Green Line's path at the intersection of Snelling and University Aves. in Midway. Owner Vic Masanz says since the light rail was built, the area feels less safe around bar close. Masanz has been in that spot for decades.
Masanz says he was happy when Minnesota United announced on Friday it will pay for a new 18,000- seat stadium to be built in Midway.
"It will be good for the area but I hope police can keep up," Masanz said.
The Green Line started running in June 2014 and shortly after, Masanz says he started closing his bar at 1 a.m. instead of 2 a.m.
Masanz believes it was a smart move even though it is costing him business.
"I just don't care to have a crowd like that," Masanz said.
Other businesses in the area say the Green Line has helped with business and hasn't impacted closing times.
A quick look at St. Paul police numbers shows how many times cops responded to the Snelling and University intersection each year for the past five years. (There is a noticeable increase when the light rail system started running in 2014.)
- 2011: 298 calls for service
- 2012: 307
- 2013: 347
- 2014: 473
- 2015: 434
Metro Transit spokesperson Howie Padilla says those numbers don't necessarily mean the area is less safe.
"Those numbers include a lot of things like proactive visits to the area and traffic stops," Padilla said.
Metro Transit says it will plan accordingly for bigger crowds on game days as it has near other stadiums in the Twin Cities.
"It's something we do all the time and we'll look forward to doing it when soccer stadium comes as well," Padilla said.
"It should draw a bunch of people in the area hopefully they want to eat and drink party then go back on the train like they started," Masanz said.
The city of Minneapolis is considering changes to bar closing times throughout the downtown area.
Last month, a shooting downtown near Target Center left six bystanders shot.
A nightlife safety review board has been established that will look into changing bar close times among other ideas.
St. Paul hasn't formed a similar group, according to local businesses and police.
