Mayor Backs 'Night Mayor' Plan

BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN — The day mayor wants a night mayor.

Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed the creation of a “nightlife ambassador” in a new jobs plan released Thursday — the same day Bushwick representative Rafael Espinal introduced his night mayor legislation to City Council.

The mayor’s “nightlife ambassador” proposal — which is independent of Espinal’s — would create a new position in the Office of Media and Entertainment to serve as a liaison between nightlife businesses and the city.

While Espinal’s bill varies slightly — he’s proposing a special task force create an Office of Nightlife — the mayor and councilman both draw inspiration from the same source: Amsterdam.

Amsterdam first instated a nachtburgemeester in 2014 who has since managed to loosen restrictions on night-time businesses (some Amsterdam clubs can stay open 24-hours a day) and improve their relationships with city government and early risers.

Councilman Espinal believes New York needs a night mayor to protect DIY businesses like Shea Stadium, the DIY venue that was forced to close because of mounting fees and a broken lease.

“Lou Reed and the Ramones come from that culture,” Espinal told Patch in May. “I don’t want the city to get to the place where those artists are without a space to perform.”

Similar positions have already been implemented in Zurich, Paris and London. Should Mayor de Blasio or Councilman Espinal’s proposals be accepted, New York would become the first city in the United States to elect its own nachtburgemeester.

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