The Pearl DARTed by COJ / JSO

[fsujax]

I agree with you on the one step forward 20 steps back.....it is getting really old.

[David]

Again, it always turns to blaming FBC....again another easy target. You know how many bars and other similar establishments were around FBC in Downtown Dallas, this is where the current pastor of FBC Jax came from. FBC Dallas, didnt seem to stifle or stop growth in Downtown Dallas. so lets stop blaming FBC Jax for Downtowns failures.  I believe it goesway beyound FBC.

Totally off subject so i'll make this quick. Aren't some other city's zoning laws a bit more lax in terms of  how far bars/nightlife establishments can be from churches? I definitely saw churchs right in the middle of entertainment districts, hell even gay districts with clubs all around it in Seattle. So if that's true, in a sense FBC does hinder certain growth downtown due to zoning laws, especially given the size of the complex.

[jason_contentdg]

Again, it always turns to blaming FBC....again another easy target. You know how many bars and other similar establishments were around FBC in Downtown Dallas, this is where the current pastor of FBC Jax came from. FBC Dallas, didnt seem to stifle or stop growth in Downtown Dallas. so lets stop blaming FBC Jax for Downtowns failures.  I believe it goesway beyound FBC.

Totally off subject so i'll make this quick. Aren't some other city's zoning laws a bit more lax in terms of  how far bars/nightlife establishments can be from churches? I definitely saw churchs right in the middle of entertainment districts, hell even gay districts with clubs all around it in Seattle. So if that's true, in a sense FBC does hinder certain growth downtown due to zoning laws, especially given the size of the complex.

It's a massive development...and it does change the dynamics of downtown.

[RiversideGator]

Does anyone know if any drugs were found?  Perhaps there is more to this than we know.  Having said that, I have been to the Pearl on numerous occasions and did not notice any suspicious activity (although it is easy to keep deals down low I suppose).  I always thought it was a nice, innovative bar which was a net positive for the neighborhood.

[mirmc]

wow...I'm not so sure if the city understands what "blighted properties" means exactly...http://www.coj.net/NR/exeres/F4C3CA9A-91BD-4C26-A6DE-AA98DF9D2684.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&NRMODE=Unpublished...

And i wouldn't be hesitant to bring fbc into some of the blame of these raids. These sheep do end up influencing election outcomes in choosing our "leaders" that create DART raids. Now I am a little biased against FBC since I see them come in twice a week, block the roads (even though they have parking decks galore and overhead walkways), and then immediately leave the area afterwards without supporting the downtown and surrounding areas.

Oh and someone mentioned something about the proposed parking charges...I would love to see FBC sheep finally have to support the area! (but in reality, I'm totally against that upsurd idea...who the hell thinks of things like this?!)

~annoyed

[Deuce]

This is straight from the source. Underage drinking is the reason given. While they were there, they added some other BS violations like no extension cords allowed or Christmas lights in the window. This is going to cost the owners plenty and threaten the viability of their business. Maybe we need a fundraiser. Save The Pearl!

[fpj]

This is straight from the source. Underage drinking is the reason given. While they were there, they added some other BS violations like no extension cords allowed or Christmas lights in the window. This is going to cost the owners plenty and threaten the viability of their business. Maybe we need a fundraiser. Save The Pearl!

Well, if that's all to it, remove the extension cords and Christmas lights (a probable reason for the extension cords in the first place) and voila, no need for a fundraiser.  They are back open in no time.

-fpj

[David]

Is there really a need to shut a place down based on these bogus/minor voliations? It seems with all the letigatation they have to go through it really does keep a business down for WAY too long. It's more than taking away a fun place to go and get drunk, it affects peoples livelyhoods.


One guy's got the right idea, contact those in the DART program and ask them politely wtf is their problem! There's also gotta be other people to contact to let them know it's really a dick move on the city/jso's part.

[David]

For more information regarding this program (dart) , please contact
Police Officer Alfred Hooker phone: (904) 630-5954 or e-mail: Alfred Hooker
or Police Officer David Makauskas phone: (904) 630-7635 or e-mail: David Makauskas

Any other points of contacts?

[apvbguy]

Is there really a need to shut a place down based on these bogus/minor voliations? It seems with all the letigatation they have to go through it really does keep a business down for WAY too long. It's more than taking away a fun place to go and get drunk, it affects peoples livelyhoods.


One guy's got the right idea, contact those in the DART program and ask them politely wtf is their problem! There's also gotta be other people to contact to let them know it's really a dick move on the city/jso's part.

I don't know what you guys are thinking, sure thing that many of the violations are piddly in nature but nonetheless they are violations, should they be ignored? are you guys really in favor of lawlessness? or maybe a tragedy in a nightclub that has things like electric cords ( FYI a good majority of fires start from faulty wiring) to wake you guys up. If there is underage drinking should that be ignored? come on guys, think before ranting

[jason_contentdg]

Is there really a need to shut a place down based on these bogus/minor voliations? It seems with all the letigatation they have to go through it really does keep a business down for WAY too long. It's more than taking away a fun place to go and get drunk, it affects peoples livelyhoods.


One guy's got the right idea, contact those in the DART program and ask them politely wtf is their problem! There's also gotta be other people to contact to let them know it's really a dick move on the city/jso's part.

I don't know what you guys are thinking, sure thing that many of the violations are piddly in nature but nonetheless they are violations, should they be ignored? are you guys really in favor of lawlessness? or maybe a tragedy in a nightclub that has things like electric cords ( FYI a good majority of fires start from faulty wiring) to wake you guys up. If there is underage drinking should that be ignored? come on guys, think before ranting

So the fact that they nearly had to trip over hookers and drug dealers on their way to get some under age drinking busts and electric cords...is ok, though?

[David]

Is there really a need to shut a place down based on these bogus/minor voliations? It seems with all the letigatation they have to go through it really does keep a business down for WAY too long. It's more than taking away a fun place to go and get drunk, it affects peoples livelyhoods.


One guy's got the right idea, contact those in the DART program and ask them politely wtf is their problem! There's also gotta be other people to contact to let them know it's really a dick move on the city/jso's part.

I don't know what you guys are thinking, sure thing that many of the violations are piddly in nature but nonetheless they are violations, should they be ignored? are you guys really in favor of lawlessness? or maybe a tragedy in a nightclub that has things like electric cords ( FYI a good majority of fires start from faulty wiring) to wake you guys up. If there is underage drinking should that be ignored? come on guys, think before ranting

Violations? Sure, a fine, whatever. but what is the point of the DART program to shut down venues for months at a time? Why condemn a building for total bullshit reasons? C'mon where's the common sense at. This is totally worthy of a rant. Underage drinking isn't too high on my unforgiveable sins list, sorry. There's much worse things going on. I don't buy into the "well it's the law" reasoning.  And I'm getting too old to even go to the Pearl! It's just the principle of it.

[JaxByDefault]

For a bar and dance club, I've always found the Pearl to be rather stringent with ID checks and the staff quick to catch kids washing off under-age hand markings or swapping bracelets. You couldn't possibly mistake me for underage, yet they always flatter me with an ID check and bracelet.

The Pearl is one of the few businesses here that draws patrons from outside of SPR/downtown. Its success is vital to the long-term success of the neighborhood. SPAR and other neighborhood organizations would do well to voice support for the Pearl, too.

If fines put the Pearl in peril of closing, there are many of patrons and neighbors ready and willing drink some fundraising pints.

[David]

Hmmm, getting bounceback emails from Mr. Hooker and Mr. Makausa email addresses. Does anyone else have any other points of contact?

[urbanjacksonville]

I made a public records request for all info, including emails, on the raid. I've also heard from a Jacksonville.com source that they have a reporter on the story. More details to come...