It’s a clear early autumn night as crowds of revelers make their way down East Avenue to the slew of watering holes and eateries that dot the strip. Before the weekend party begins, each must make a pitstop at a gated barricade, empty their pockets and get frisked by a security officer. People under 21 are banned, and cars can no longer pass down the strip on Saturday nights.
While Mayor Malik Evans touted the district as a remedy for violent crime, some business owners in the district see it as more harm than good. Some are rethinking their long-term business plans. Others are divesting.
Swan Dive, the popular eatery and bar on Alexander Street known for pizza slices and late-night DJs, has called the district home for eight years. It is expected to close at the end of the year, when its lease is up…