On January 14th, 2009, landlord Lisa Hushaw hopes that some individual will now rent her house in the Benson-area now that a nearby rental hall will be a converted to a keno parlor. She said that the crowds, noise and violence from numerous events at the Clairborne Center had driven away Hushaw's last tenant, who is a single mom.
Last Tuesday, the Omaha City Council approved Clairborne Center owner Jeff Rothlisberger's request to modify the rental hall at 65th street Ames Avenue into a Keno hall that serves liquor and food. The vote regarding the issue was unanimous.
Rothlisberger had still wanted to host occasional events like weddings. But the members of the council all agreed that hosting of events should come to an end. In the past, events like concerts and parties have led to numerous problems. Councilman Frank Brown said that he is not in favor of holding parties at the facility.
Neighborhood activist Sharon Chvala commented that patrons have littered the streets. Chvala said that she was more comfortable with the Center as a keno facility. Neighbors have long complained about the center, including when it was Cartier's nightclub, under a different proprietor. The council gave the Clairborne Center a liquor license back in 2006. Aside from that, the Council decides to put off decision on another controversial issue involving a business, this one in North Omaha.
A crowd of around thirty people attended the meeting to express their criticism to giving the Singh Brothers Incorporated a license to sell beer at the Infinite Oil on 2411 N. 30th St. The residents said that they are already too many businesses that offer liquor.
[05-03]
Louis Blechdom
