The Westcott Theater faces a possible permit revocation after a city report detailed years of evidence at the venue. © 2026 Alexa Korrie
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — As the Syracuse Common Council weighs whether to revoke the Westcott Theater’s special use permit, Common Councilor Hanah Ehrenreich said there is a broader history in Syracuse of discriminatory permitting practices, while stating clearly that the Westcott case is not an example of that pattern.
“There has been a history of discrimination and permitting,” Ehrenreich said. “There has been a history of having undue requirements that are really exceptionally expensive for both Black gatherings and Black performances. And I want to be really clear that that’s not what this is.”
The case against Westcott centers on an 18-page city report detailing a pattern of violence at the venue over roughly two years, including an Aug. 1 stabbing that the theater staff did not report to police. Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion, who has publicly called for the permit’s revocation, pointed to the venue’s compliance record.
“The Westcott Theater for a long time has been a notorious violator of our entertainment license rules,” Marion said. “The time has come, following shooting, stabbings and other violent events. The time has come to make sure that the Westcott Theater can no longer negatively impact our community in the way that it does.”
NCC News reached out the the Westcott Theater owner Daniel Mastronardi for this story. He initially told a reporter to, “check with me after the vote,” then did not respond to further requests for comments after Sept. 11.
Not everyone in the neighborhood believes the revocation is the only path forward. Westcott resident Hasan Altheblah said he’d like to see the theater stay open under tighter security rather than lose its permit entirely.
“I feel like there could be a way to keep the venue open with more security or more policing going on, make it feel safer for the people,” Altheblah said.
Ehrenreich said the Council is not trying to shut down live music in Syracuse, including music hosted by Black promoters.
“We’re not trying to shut down music, particularly not for Black local music promoters,” she said. “We want to make sure we work with them.”
Ehrenreich also said that revoking the Westcott’s current permit would not necessarily end the venue’s operations permanently.
“The special use permit was issued in 2008 and has very few guardrails around it,” she said. “By revoking the special use permit, it leaves it open for the venue to reapply for a special use permit that is under our current zoning.”
The Council has scheduled a committee meeting for Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m., located at City Hall. Ehrenreich said the session is intended to give people involved in the live music scene, including promoters, more information about the process.
“The Common Council would really love to have venue owners, promoters, anyone who’s involved in the live music scene come out to get some more information about why this process is happening,” Ehrenreich said.
The meeting is open to the public, although attendees will not have a formal speaking slot. Comments can be submitted by email to the Common Council or individual councilors ahead of time.
A study session is scheduled for Sept. 23, with a vote expected on Sept. 28.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Westcott Theater’s Future Is Still Undecided
Alexa Korrie: For years, the Westcott Theater has been a place for concerts and nightlife on Syracuse’s Westcott Street. Now, the Syracuse Common Council says a pattern of safety and security problems has put the venue’s future in question.
Hanah Ehrenreich: It’s not one incident, it’s multiple incidents spanning two years.
Korrie: An 18-page zoning report cites several incidents at or near the theater, including a double stabbing inside the venue on Aug. 1, which was not reported by theater staff. Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion supports revoking the theater’s special use permit. He says the owner’s response to violent incidents is part of the problem.
Alexander Marion: The most disturbing was the effort to remove evidence of some of those violent incidents and the owner’s denial that violent incidents are occurring.
Korrie: But for some Westcott residents like Hasan Altheblah, the answer isn’t necessarily shutting it down.
Hasan Altheblah: I feel like there could be a way to keep the venue open with more security or more policing going on.
Korrie: While safety is the city’s top concern, the Common Council says they are also considering impacts that smaller venues like this one have on local artists like Ty Clark, who says the venue is a great space for up-and-coming artists.
Ty Clark: It’s not super small, but it’s not super big. So if you had only 150 people there or only 100, it would look like it’s a lot more.
Korrie: Although Councilor Hanah Ehrenreich says the Council is not trying to end live music in Syracuse.
Ehrenreich: We want the live music, we want it to stay, we want these promoters to host their shows here. We don’t want the violence.
Korrie: Even if the permit is revoked, the theater could apply for a new one under current zoning rules. I’m Alexa Korrie, N-C-C News.