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: 347-722-1872 Cell: 646-732-5784

September 28, 2013 Hon. Dennis Rosen, Chairman NY State Liquor Authority 80 South Swan Street, 9th Floor Albany, NY 12210 Dear Chairman Rosen: Re: Liquor License Application at 52-19 Flushing Avenue, David Sklar d/b/a Knockdown Center On behalf of Queens Civic Congress, representing over 100 civic associations, co-op and tenant groups throughout Queens, I am writing to support our member organizations, COMET and Juniper Park Civic Association as well as several local elected officials, in their strong opposition to issuing this permit. The community has raised numerous serious questions about this facility, which is apparently already running illegally as a dance club. A special permit is required under City regulations for such an operation in an M1-1 zone, but none has been issued. Safety of the patrons is a paramount consideration, particularly in light of other infamous club fires in the past, and there are legitmate questions about the condition of this run-down factory building. Queens Civic Congress and our members exist to preserve and protect the communities and residents of Queens. We believe that it would be a great disservice to the people of the Maspeth area to grant a liquor license to an establishment to serve over 600 patrons in a building that is not approved or permitted by the relevant city agencies. We urge your special consideration in this case to reject the license unless and until the premises has met all requirements, regulations and permits as required in the host municipality. Sincerely,

Richard C. Hellenbrecht, President