House actually passes measure to give Boston more liquor licenses, almost all of which could not be resold to large national chains in the Seaport

The state House of Representatives today passed a measure that would give Boston 205 new liquor licenses - most designated for Zip codes where large national chains have little to no interest in setting up shop - to dole out over the next three years.

The measure, originally proposed by state Rep. Christopher Worrell (Roxbury and Dorchester) based on a home-rule petition from his brother, City Councilor Brian Worrell (Dorchester, Mattapan), now goes to the Senate, where state Sen. Liz Miranda (Roxbury) has filed a similar bill.

The proposal would let the Boston Licensing Board issue 180 licenses for restaurants and bars over the next three years in 12 specific Zip codes: 02119, 02121, 02122, 02124, 02125, 02126, 02128, 02129, 02130, 02131, 02132 and 02136. Over the course of three years, under the proposal, each Zip code would ultimately get 15 licenses set aside for them: Nine for restaurants or bars that want to serve all kinds of alcohol and six for restaurants that only want to serve beer and wine.

Unlike traditional Boston liquor licenses, which can be bought and sold on the open market and used for collateral, these geographically-restricted licenses would have to be returned to the city should the holders go out of business, so they would continue to be affordable for new restaurant operators - and in the same Zip code in which the original holder operated.

The goal is to create a way for small restaurateurs in outer neighborhoods to offer adult beverages in a way they've long been priced out of because legislators insist on keeping their thumbs on Boston licenses, which has driven costs up beyond $600,000 for full liquor licenses.

"Ultimately, this is a no-cost economic development tool for 180 restaurants in the city," Brian Worrell said in a statement. "The end result will be more vibrant business corridors such as Blue Hill Avenue and a boost to city revenues with additional money from the meals tax."

By an absolutely amazing coincidence, the bill also sets aside three neighborhood licenses specifically for the tiny Oak Square section of Brighton, which just happens to be represented by state Rep. Michael Moran, the house majority leader, who had bottled up efforts in recent years to get Boston more liquor licenses, ostensibly because he didn't want all that power going to the heads of Boston leaders, even the ones he says he likes, like Mayor Wu.

The measure also provides for 15 non-transferable licenses for non-profit organizations that want to serve liquor - similar to a single license the legislature granted a couple years ago for the specific use of the Strand Theater in Uphams Corner.

The remaining seven licenses would be the more full-bodied licenses, which, like the older traditional licenses, could be bought or sold on the open market.