As we reported this morning, Mayor McGinn is set to unveil a plan to loosen up Seattle's boozin' hours later tonight at the Century Ballroom on Capitol Hill (7pm).

The mayor just sent all of us news-types a copy of his plan, and a long, dry study on the possible impacts of extending liquor service hours.

The report, which you can read here, ------------------------------->

contains interesting facts like these:

Vingilis et. al. (2008) argue that in two Canadian cities, Ontario-London and Windsor [Canada!], there was a significant overall reduction in impaired driving and no change in the rate of assault charges during the 11pm-4am window before and after the extended drinking hours.

Hough and Hunter (2008) find that in England and Wales the shift in policy had little effect on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problem behaviors. They claim that the new law did not increase crime and note that these findings are different than in research findings in Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland and Iceland. They note that it is difficult to compare previous research findings due to the variability in evaluation methods.

And, um, this:

“Singing and the making of noise in these establishments as a rule only starts around 10 o’clock and lasts until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning, when the greater part of the company comes out drunk in order to continue the scandal on the street and insult the police.”- Mayor of Berlin, 1843

If you're too lazy to read the full report (which is kind of a snoozer), here's the big spoiler:

The report recommends a three-year pilot study for the nightlife plan:

o Year One: Dedicate the first year to collection of baseline data, development of the systems, orienting the public, and implementation of the application process prior to awarding any new licenses.  

o Year Two: Launch the flexible hours with regular assessments of any conflicts. Utilize collaborative problem solving to keep the process on track.

o Year Three: Determine how effective the process is, if it should be continued, expanded or modified.  

Washington State Liquor Control Board spokesman Brian Smith says the city hasn't officially approached the liquor board to pitch a possible shift in drinking hours.

"We're waiting for them [to] come to us and show it that it’s safer," Smith says.