Syracuse Common Council Hearing on Westcott Theater Permit Revocation - September 9, 2026
Syracuse Common Council Hearing on Westcott Theater Permit Revocation - September 9, 2026
The Syracuse Common Council held a public hearing on September 9, 2026, to consider revoking the special use permit (SP-08-08) issued to the Westcott Theater at 424-432 West High Street. The hearing featured a presentation from city staff, testimony from the venue owner, and extensive public comment from both supporters and opponents.
Staff Presentation
- Jake Deschhaw from the Office of Zoning Administration presented the staff report recommending revocation, citing repeated failures to maintain order at the property, including serious acts of violence inside the venue and a pattern of violating local regulatory requirements. He stated that revocation would not preclude a future permit application and that the office does not want the property to remain vacant.
- Syracuse Police Department Chief Rossin highlighted specific incidents: a May 31, 2025 shooting nearby that produced over 20 spent shell casings and bullet holes in a residence; a July 2026 large fight outside the venue due to understaffed security; an August 2026 fight inside resulting in two stabbings that the venue did not report; and an unlicensed event hosted on August 7, 2026. He noted the venue’s uncooperative attitude toward police requests and stated that SPD resources are being diverted to address problems the venue should manage internally.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dan Mastronardi, owner and operator of the Westcott Theater for 18 years, expressed disappointment and defended his record, citing zero New York State Liquor Authority violations. He questioned whether the city applies rules equally and urged the council to consider the venue's overall history of creating jobs and supporting the arts. He also disputed the connection to the May 2025 shooting, stating it occurred around the corner and had no relation to his business.
- Mike Allen, attorney for the venue, argued that the city used improper procedures (condemnation later suspended by a court) and that a recently passed licensing ordinance violates First Amendment rights. He urged the council to reject revocation and work with the venue.
- Many community members and business partners spoke in support, including Anthony Dickens (promoter), Davia Husley (event coordinator), Nizavir Evans (promoter), Acean Reigns (bartender/promoter), Ernest Hester (community member), Carrie Morales (owner of Las Delicias restaurant), Dylan Tripodi (bartender), Ty Bradford (artist/entrepreneur), Kamar Boatman (Minority Entertainment Coalition), Ian West (resident), Richie Sposado (former nightclub owner), Rashawn Nelson (multiple business owner), and Peter Sliz (resident). They described the Westcott as a vital cultural hub, providing opportunities for Black and multicultural entrepreneurs and artists, and alleged that the city disproportionately targets venues serving minority communities. Carrie Morales noted only three incidents on Westcott Street in 26 years. Kamar Boatman and Rashawn Nelson listed 21 minority-serving establishments closed or restricted in recent years.
- Rocco Fiola (resident) spoke in favor of the city's action, stating he and neighbors feel unsafe but do not want the theater closed entirely—only for the negligence to be addressed.
- Sam Gruber, former Westcott Neighborhood Association president, said the neighborhood supports the theater but objects to late-night after-hours parties held in the last two years that are the root cause of problems. He urged ending those parties rather than closing the entire venue.
- City Auditor Alex Marion urged the council to revoke the permit, citing public safety concerns including the shooting and stabbings, and argued that venues should not rely on police as a fallback for security.
Key Outcomes
- The hearing was for public input only; no vote or decision was taken. The council will consider the testimony and staff recommendation before making a decision. Dan Mastronardi announced a press conference for Friday and reiterated his compliance record.
Meeting Transcript
Do you want mine to see? Um, all right. Can you hear me? Yes, sir. So good um good evening, everybody. Thank you for joining us. If this is a public hearing, and we will listen to everyone that wants to state a comment. But I want to remind you that this is a public hearing, and that means that the counselors, the council cannot engage in discussion. We're here to listen to you. Okay. We want to say thank you to Danielle, our stenographer, for joining us today. And she asked me to please let everybody know when you come up to the mic, it please state your name and spell it so she can get your comments and the spelling of spelling of your name correctly. Okay. Um regulatory items once you come. I will have these cards that you've been completing at the entrance. So I am gonna call the names in the order that I'm receiving them. When I do, and you come up to the microphone, you will have three minutes to state your comment. Three minutes. Then you're gonna listen to a little bell that the phone kind of rings out. And then you would have 30 seconds to close your comments. Okay. With that said. Oh, I need to read the shortcut. I'll read the short title. Okay, yeah. Oh, give me one minute. Um I told you about the three minutes. Okay, one thing very important. We're not here to have speakers to speak out of term, or uh we we don't want to see any demonstrations here tonight. We want this process to be a com cool collected process where we can all learn about your thoughts. So we can take in consideration as we then go back and deliver. Okay. Then first of all, I would like to have. Oh, this is first, right? Yeah, okay. So read the short title. Uh, this public hearing is uh is in regard to authorizing a renification of the public use permit issued to 424 through 432 West High Street for the West Cost Theater. Thank you. Um, then we're gonna have first Jake Deschhaw to please uh come up to the mic, and Jake is gonna state the facts of why we're here. Thank you, Council President. Uh just to set the stage uh for everybody here publicly again tonight. Um this is subject to uh a revocation to hear uh revocation for a special use permit. The purpose of a special use permit uh procedure is a land use uh review that provides a mechanism for the city to evaluate proposed development and land uses that have unique or varying operating characteristics or unusual features, and this procedure is intended to ensure compatibility with surrounding areas and that adequate adequate mitigation is provided for anticipated impacts to neighborhoods. So this land use that's operating at this location. Um special use means it indicates that the land use is allowed, but the respective zone district, um, it's only allowed or approved if reviewed um with the special use permit procedures um and special consideration by planning boards and governing bodies like the common council. Um so what we're here doing tonight is this is the public hearing. It's a required process and a revocation hearing. So per the zoning code, um, I have submitted this uh report to you all to consider, and in part of that process, we have to hold this public hearing um that that we're engaging in tonight. Um you will see based on my submittal uh what my recommendation is and what my findings and conclusions are. Um it is publicly available.
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