Syracuse Common Council votes to revoke Westcott Theater’s permit

“We understand the importance of that theater to the neighborhood, but that doesn’t mean that we can just look the other way,” Syracuse Common Councilor Jimmy Monto said.

In a prior committee meeting a zoning administrator for the city of Syracuse, Jake Dishaw, submitted an 18-page zoning report and called for the Westcott Theater’s permit revocation. The report highlighted numerous violent incidents at the theater, including an alleged stabbing inside the venue in August. 

“All citizens of the City of Syracuse have a right to peaceful, safe, clean neighborhoods,” Syracuse Common Councilor Marino Nave said. “I was opposed to the gentleman who spoke two weeks ago, when he criticized us when we revoked Tommy’s Bar [permit] on Wolf Street. There was a reason why that was revoked, and I join my fellow counselors in revoking this permit.” 

In December 2024, the council revoked Tommy’s Bar and Grill’s use permit, following two deadly shootings that happened at the restaurant earlier that year. 

Monto said the council is not against having an entertainment venue or live music in Westcott. Instead, he said the city wants a venue that can operate safely within the neighborhood.

“Nobody wants to see live music leave Westcott Street,” Monto said. “That would be crazy. It’s been there forever.

“However, nobody also wants to see bullets flying on Westcott Street or stabbings inside of establishments.”

This Council’s vote comes after an Onondaga County Supreme Court judge ruled last week that the theater could host events that do not require special permits.

Westcott Theater owner Daniel Mastronardi filed a lawsuit against the city in August, claiming he has been treated inequitably and has not been provided an opportunity to solve problems facing the venue.

“At times we have seen several different levels of scrutiny depending on an event, a promoter or the audience,” Mastronardi said during the public hearing for Westcott Theater’s permit on Sept. 9. “When similar situations appear to produce different responses from the government, people naturally get asked questions about fairness and equal treatment.” 

Common Council president Rita Paniagua said that the Westcott Theater can apply for another permit, but did not specify a timeframe for approval. 

“There are some steps that need to be taken before they do that,” Paniagua said. “Once we get those things figured out…Now that we’re stepping back, taking a breath, and then we can potentially address this… and better inform everyone.” 

Also, Paniagua said the city’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development has been asked to determine the specific issues that need to be addressed regarding the venue. 

“Nobody wants to close the theater,” Paniagua said. “We all want a theater in Westcott, but what we need to figure out is that what’s going inside it is safe for young people, the neighborhood and the commerce around it because everybody’s a little afraid of what’s going on there.” 

Mike Goodehines, an employee of Westcott Flowers nearby, previously said before the final vote that he was not concerned about the impact.

“I don’t think it will hurt the neighborhood because there are just so many different things here that bring people to Westcott,” Goodehines said.

With the permit now revoked, the future of the Westcott Theater remains uncertain. The building could potentially continue as an entertainment venue if a new operator receives approval from the city.