Player’s to Get Six Month Reprieve
by Donnelly Clare City- Times Staff
In a decision made by the city’s Public Protection Committee on Monday, Player’s Lounge is getting a six- month reprieve.
The business will keep its conditional use permit and liquor license, something a series of noise complaints by neighbors- and compounded by a high- stakes illegal poker game- put in danger.
Owner Jason Glisczynski said he’s worked hard to meet conditions made by the city, including a berm that was intended to block noise from area residents, but he said an independently hired sound engineer determined it wouldn’t have helped.
“It would also create a really bad blind spot for people coming into Player’s driveway, and also at the intersection of Rice and Cleveland, and it would have impeded the right of way,” Glisczynski added.
Some aldermen weren’t convinced Player’s was worthy of saving.
“He’s made a laughing stock out of the city, the planning commission and the city council,” said Roger Trzebiatowski, alderman of the seventh district.
Trzebistowski also said he felt Player’s was getting “special attention” by being allowed to keep a conditional use permit and liquor license when the business was behind on its taxes.
Glisczynski denied that claim, saying his business was in compliance with a payment plan worked out with the city, as a matter of public record.
He also encouraged city council members to do their homework before making judgment.
“City council members have access to all this information, just like any public citizen and myself; it’s upsetting when public council members made comments and decisions without doing that,” Glisczynski said.
Alderwoman Joann Suomi voted in favor of Player’s, saying she hoped the business could grow into a community asset.
“I would like to see Player’s be successful like Partner’s (Pub), which is also located in a highly residential area,” she said, adding her background as a gym teacher influenced her support for the large indoor volleyball court the business offers.
“So I’m hoping there won’t be a high number of violations by Player’s,” she added.