NORTHAMPTON — Music mogul Eric Suher told the License Commission on Wednesday that he's making progress on two downtown projects where he intends to sell liquor.

Suher holds seasonal alcohol licenses in connection with a space at 28 Center St., near his nightclub, The Iron Horse, and a former Baptist church on West Street. The commission, noting that the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission is cracking down on inactive licenses, pressed Suher for details.

When Suher appeared in front of the commission in March, he also said he was moving ahead with both projects and intended to use his licenses at those locations. However, neither has opened for business.

“It’s been a while,” said commissioner William Rosen. “There are people who have raised the issue of why you are not in operation.”

Suher bought the former First Baptist Church at 298 Main St. for $125,000 in 1993, and work has been ongoing there since. He plans to reopen it as a multi-purpose venue with a bar, kitchen, stage and seating. He said Wednesday that workers have taken pains to restore the building's stained glass dome.

“It’s a real historical renovation,” he said, adding that there is still no firm opening date.

Suher plans to use the church for weddings and other events. He said he is also considering showing movies there occasionally.

The Center Street property is a 1,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Blue Note Guitars that Suher bought in 2005. He hopes to convert it into a lounge that can accommodate Iron Horse patrons while they are waiting for shows. Suher said work was delayed at that site because of the construction of the police station across the street. He expects to open the lounge by early next spring, he said.

Because of state law, Northampton has a fixed number of alcohol licenses to dispense. Although he acknowledged that he holds five of those, Suher said he is not trying to stifle competition and assured the commission his projects will be good for the city’s overall economy. His other liquor licenses are for The Iron Horse, The Calvin Theater, the Pearl Street Nightclub and a lounge at 21-23 Center St.

“The only financial burden is on us,” he said. “The church will bring a lot of business into town.”