Noise, litter, graffitti blamed on clubs
Publication title: Edmonton Journal
Pages: B1 / FRONT Section: City
Publication date: Jan
4, 2001
ProQuest document ID:
252856789
Copyright:
Copyright Southam Publications Inc. Jan 4, 2001
Abstract:
"The concerns are not about crime, violence or drug
use, but rather too many people walking on the sidewalks, too much noise and
litter," said [Oliver Friedmann]. "If this is the attitude, then the
Edmonton Eskimos, the folk music festival, Klondike Days and its parade, The
Fringe and many other activities should all be pushed out of the city.
Lillian Pushor, manager of the Alberta Place Suite Hotel
down the block, said noise, graffiti and litter top her list of complaints.
Young people congregating near the clubs cause problems for her guests, she
said.
Downtown beat officer Const. Grant Jongejan requested the
licence hearing after fielding complaints. Two after-hours clubs on 105th Street , Evar
After and Climaxx, must also attend the hearings.
Full text:
Downtown could once again become a "ghost town"
after dark if complaints about noise, graffiti and garbage force the closure of
three popular nightclubs, says the man who owns them.
Oliver Friedmann, owner of The Rev, Lush and Therapy on 102nd Street near 100th Avenue , says
he's the victim of a witch hunt by police and some neighbouring businesses.
"The concerns are not about crime, violence or drug
use, but rather too many people walking on the sidewalks, too much noise and
litter," said Friedmann. "If this is the attitude, then the Edmonton
Eskimos, the folk music festival, Klondike Days and its parade, The Fringe and
many other activities should all be pushed out of the city.
"We can keep Edmonton 's
core as a silent ghost town after 5 p.m."
Lillian Pushor, manager of the Alberta Place Suite Hotel
down the block, said noise, graffiti and litter top her list of complaints.
Young people congregating near the clubs cause problems for her guests, she
said.
Pushor would like to see the nightclubs move away but
suggested as a start, earlier closing times, more soundproofing and tighter
security.
The clubs have received 30 noise-violation tickets since
last February. Friedmann risks losing his business licences at a hearing on
Jan. 12.
Pushor said she can no longer stand the screaming, loud
music, vandalism and lost business.
"I have no problem with kids being out all night,"
she said. "I did it. But we had respect for people's property and weren't
doing things like that.
"I have no problem with the guy (Friedmann) making a
living, but not to the detriment of everyone around him."
The manager of nearby Cathedral Close Senior Citizens'
Apartments wouldn't comment until after the hearing.
Coun. Jim Taylor said the clubs should either dramatically
change their services or move from people trying to sleep.
"I think we have to start looking at putting obvious
loud and disruptive entertainment establishments a good distance away from
residential neighbourhoods," he said. "I think when you live in a
very densely populated and diverse area like downtown you have to expect there
will be some noise disturbance.
"But there is a line. And all-night, driving, beating
noise every weekend for two or three nights and a large dispersal of very loud
people on a regular basis are not things anybody should have to get used
to."
Downtown beat officer Const. Grant Jongejan requested the
licence hearing after fielding complaints. Two after-hours clubs on 105th Street , Evar
After and Climaxx, must also attend the hearings.
Illustration
Map: Journal Stock / (Map showing the locations of various
nightclubs in Edmonton )
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