Fate Of Downtown Club In Council’s Hands

Alabama Dauphin Street Public hearing is scheduled on the Alabama Music Box.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Mon, April 13, 2009 - 8:39 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, April 13, 2009 - 9:35 pm CST

Tuesday could be "D-Day" for a downtown Mobile music club.
The Mobile City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday on whether or not to revoke or suspend the license for the Alabama Music Box.
The club is at 455 Dauphin Street.
Councilman William Carroll represents the area.
Carroll said, "The question that needs to be answered is 'Where does someone's rights end and another's begins?' "
News Five didn't find any opponents of the club who wanted to talk on camera Monday, but neighbors have complained about loud noise coming from the bar and bad behavior outside.
Carroll said there's recent surveillance video taken outside Alabama Music Box of people being thrown out for fighting.
Carroll said, "The video that I have seen over the last two months, three months is disturbing. I myself wouldn't run my business in that manner, but everybody has a right to run a business."
Attorney Barry Friedman represents the Alabama Music Box and said police haven't been called out because of any incidents.
Friedman said, "If you look, it's not the activity that takes place inside the bar that anybody is complaining about. It's what's on the street. We're sort of investigated almost every week. There's always somebody in there trying to make sure that they can catch us doing something wrong and we haven't been shut down."
Although there isn't a vote scheduled Tuesday on the future of the Alabama Music Box, Carroll said that could happen.
Carroll said, "I think the video is very interesting and I think that I'll give everybody an opportunity to see it tomorrow."
Friedman said, "They say the argument is, 'Well, if the bar wasn't here, they wouldn't be here.' I say if the camera wasn't there, those people wouldn't be acting for the camera."
The council meeting starts at 10:30 am Tuesday.

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southernbelle6913 Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 2:22 pm

The hearing actually ended about an hour ago. This was just a public hearing and nothing has been voted on as of yet. It was however a very interesting meeting.

Jamie Burch Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 2:19 pm

dougstech,

The public hearing is still going at this hour. However, the council does not plan to take a vote this afternoon.

dougstech Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Does anyone know what came out of the meeting? Are they going to be losing their license?

Boondock Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 11:55 am

That was classic Wait4me, classic.

rolltide33 Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 11:28 am

Wait - I don’t live in Mobile but that was very funny. You should volunteer some time to the Chamber of Commerce. They may let you be a city guide.

SamRock Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 11:21 am

“Wait”, You’d make a great tour guide. Pretty accurate I’d say.

melissak28 Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 11:14 am

Very well said Wait4Me. That is truth about this city. I also agree with the previous posts that said you knew when you moved in, what you were getting in to and everytime someone tries to make progress it always gets shot down by some of the prudes of the city. They are not making Mobile a better city. They are making it a boring city.

Wait4Me Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 10:44 am

Mobile doesn’t need bars or artsy fartsy stuff, we have the “Moon Pie” and we have a 2 million dollar animal shelter that happens to be full already, for the people to enjoy, come spend the weekend, enjoy our “Pies & Pets” tour. Along the routes you can see the Paddle Palace (also known as Government Plaza), if you watch closely you may be able to see a parolee try to escape through one of the antebellum yards (but we will have to change the name from antebellum to nice, the whole racist thing you know) As you stroll around downtown you can see the abandoned bars (not because of prohibition, but because of prosecution) and the occasional alley, where you may find an ousted Judge or maybe even a drunk, non-driving, Mardi Gras bead covered ex-city councilman, come see our inadequate education system and our bribery laden colleges. We have more to offer than most cities would dare to publicize. Yes Mobile 300 years of tradition from Azalea Trails to paddled tails, from majestic oaks to Leprechaun Hoax, and most interesting of all dilapidated schools to elected fools.

rolltide33 Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 10:19 am

If the bar is breaking any laws or ordinances, then they should pay the due consequences. If not, leave them alone. If you don’t like bears, don’t buy a house in the woods.

cmb1 Says:

Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 10:15 am

Mobile needs a night life but not one like this. But i do agree if you live downtown you knew the bars we’re there when you moved in? Maybe a noise ordiance after a certain time?