This browser does not support the Video element.
Licensing Committee votes to close club
Licensing Committee votes to close club
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It was a license renewal that was supposed to last an hour, but after more than four hours of debate, a Milwaukee nightclub could be out of business. The city's Licensing Committee voted against renewing Onyx, on the city's north side.
Gimbel says the city's Licensing Committee had no business refusing to renew a liquor license for the Onyx Night Club.
"I'm outraged by the decision and it troubles me beyond belief," Attorney Frank Gimbel said.
A special hearing was held Tuesday, September 10th, and it came after a series of police complaints involving the club.
MPD knows of 24 reported incidents over the last six months -- traffic control being the least of the problems.
The real issues include numerous fights and at least three reported shootings.
In one of those incidents, a security guard was wounded. Surveillance video shows other security guards escorting the victim out the back door.
The club's owner, Obiora Obi says he didn't call police because he wasn't sure whether the guard was shot, or whether he cut himself on a fence.
Alderman Nik Kovac says that incident alone caused him to vote against renewing the club's liquor license.
"Maybe if that hadn't happened and there had been an increase in shootings, but everything had been done to protect human safety, then I might say 'you know what, there was some context there' but there's no getting around item 50 for me," Alderman Kovac said.
"We try everything we can to prevent this issue but I think the main thing that will help us outside going forward -- outside for our neighbors and listen to MPD resources is the front barricade we're gonna use," Obi said.
Despite Obi's safety recommendations, the Licensing Committee decided he and Onyx had run out of chances.
The Licensing Committee's recommendation will now go before the full Milwaukee Common Council, which will have the final say on Onyx's future.
The club's attorney says if the Common Council votes against renewing the license, he will take the city to court.