WARREN Packard out of luck in asking for liquor license

No more liquor licenses are available in the city.
By JENNINE ZELEZNIK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- As a way to supplement the W.D. Packard Music Hall's income, Packard Park trustees have been considering applying for a liquor license.
Unfortunately, all the D-5 licenses -- which would allow the hall to serve alcohol on premises -- have already been taken, Manager Christopher Stephenson told the trustees Wednesday.
According to the Ohio Department of Liquor Control, 23 D-5 licenses have been issued in the city, with one remaining, and somebody has already applied for the last one.
The state issues liquor licenses according to population. For Warren to get another license, officials said, it must add about 1,500 residents.
Other routes: Stephenson will now investigate other ways of obtaining a license, such as a DJ-5 license, which allows alcohol to be served in an entertainment district.
Another option is to contact commercial real estate businesses to see if any selling alcohol are going out of business and relinquishing their licenses.
Another potential problem in obtaining a license has been resolved by the city engineering department. Officials measured the distance between the hall and Turner Middle School and found that enough distance exists between the two to satisfy state requirements, Stephenson said.
Liquor sales are not permitted within 500 feet of a church or school.
Both Stambaugh and Powers auditoriums in Youngstown have liquor licenses.
Renovations: The board voted to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to make improvements to the hall so it will conform with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The application is due Friday.
The board continues to discuss how to finance the construction of a box office at the music hall. The trustees are not sure where the funds would come from, or if money is available.
The box office would cost between $45,000 and $55,000.
Money was set aside for the project last year, but the funds were used to help open city parks instead.