A party bar could take over the old Spaghetti Works location

Driving the news: Longtime businessman Larry Smithson wants to use the space to resurrect Big Lars, his former East Village party bar, the Register reports, but city staff have recommended ZBOA deny the plan.

• They have cited concerns about adequately safeguarding tenants in the building's 51 upstairs apartments from noise or other problems.

Yes, but: Smithson said two feet of dead space in the ceiling should lessen noise and promised to point speakers down, away from apartments.

• He told the Register he wants to create a place where all people feel welcome and said that should be Court Avenue's focus.

The other side: Smithson met last week with some of the neighborhood leaders, but the association's membership still has concerns and is opposed to the plan, Downtown Neighborhood Association president Deb Madison-Levi tells Axios.

What's next: Wednesday's meeting starts at 1pm.