PEORIA, Ill. – If another bar or club were to open up in Peoria’s Warehouse District, it won’t get a liquor license allowing them to close as late as 4:00 a.m.
The Peoria City Council Tuesday voted nine to two for that ordinance change.
“There’s some concern that some of the four a.m. challenges that have been seen in the Central Business District, would become part of the challenges in the Warehouse District,” said Council Member Zach Oyler, At-Large member.
Oyler says property owners in that area are concerned that the young professionals and others the city would like to see locate there, won’t.
Also of concern is the long remaining 4:00 a.m. bar in the Warehouse District — the Status Nightclub on Jefferson — which some claim has had a long history of violence and other problems.
“The presence of [Status]…being allowed to stay open at four a.m. could potentially hinder our ability to bring redevelopment to that area because of the chronic nuisance nature of that facility,” said Council Member Denise Jackson, District 1.
Jackson was one of those two “no” votes because the Status was essentially grandfathered in. She wants to see their license changed or revoked — something the city’s attorney says can’t really happen until there’s a clear violation of their liquor ordinance.
The other “no” vote came from a council member who says the city may unintentionally deterring people like young professionals from living in apartments or condos envisioned for the Warehouse District, if things that they want aren’t there.
“Younger professionals want to have amenities; and some of those amenities include four a.m. establishments,” said Council Member Andre Allen, District 4. “When you go to urban cities, it’s not uncommon for someone to be out until four a.m.”
Any representatives of Status Nightclub were not present at Tuesday’s Peoria City Council meeting.
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