Proposed underage nightclub sparks controversy

Posted at: 10/14/2009 10:58 PM | Updated at: 10/14/2009 11:06 PM
By: Eric Kahnert, Eyewitness News 4, and Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

The owner of a downtown Albuquerque nightclub wants to turn the old Pulse club on Central into an underage venue—and the idea is already creating a little controversy.

The business owner proposing the idea says no alcohol will be allowed there.

He thinks that will help avoid the problems other underage clubs have had in the past, but some still aren't sold on the idea.

It's been dead for a few years, but Jon Chavez wants to revive the Pulse on Central.

Chavez said, "we have a zero-tolerance policy against drugs, alcohol, gangs."

Chavez is the general manager of Lotus downtown.

He and the owner want to turn the Pulse into an underage dance club with no booze allowed.

"Albuquerque is lacking a place for young adults to socialize and dance, we want provide that venue," Chavez said Wednesday.

Underage clubs have a bad rap in Albuquerque—last year, cops busted Club 7, and found half-naked underage girls mingling with drunk, older men.

That club later shut down.

Some are worried the new underage club will become a problem spot.

"I've had emails sent to me by the neighborhood association, worried about alcohol, drugs, things like that occurring in the parking lot," neighbor James Prasek said.

Chavez already has the business license, but needs to get approval from the city to turn the venue into an 18-and-up dance club.

He discussed the idea with the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association on Wednesday and handed out letters from two APD officers.

A lieutenant writes:

"Although this is in no way an official endorsement by the police department, I wanted to express my opinion that Mr. Craig and his staff have proven themselves to be upstanding members of the downtown community."

Prasek said, "Why do we want to take the risk as a community to allow something like this after we had lesson after lesson after lesson in regards to underage adults?" Chavez says anyone intoxicated in his club will be banned for good.

"They have the right to be concerned with some of the past venues that have been in Albuquerque, we do have experience running 18 and over venues," Chavez said.

A public zoning meeting will be held on Tuesday to discuss whether or not the place can become a dance club.

Where: Plaza Del Sol Hearing Room, Basement Level (600 2nd Street NW)
When: Tuesday, October 20 at 9 a.m.

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