The Indianola city board seems poised to allow a new operator to reopen the former Club Lit on Church Street.
The night club has been shuttered since last July’s mass shooting that left three people dead and over a dozen wounded. The shooting did not occur on the club’s property, rather at the corner of Second and Church.
Sherrell Young, along with Greenville attorney
Eric Hawkins appeared before the board on Monday night, assuring the body that preventative steps are being taken to ensure safety at the location.
“We’re very hesitant,” Featherstone told Young.
Hawkins said that Young plans to enforce an age limit at the club of 25 and older.
He also promised to have security inside and outside of the facility when in operation.
Young did not provide a name of a security firm this week.
“Before we sign off on this, we want you to identify what that security company will be,” Featherstone said.
Hawkins added that Young would be required to obtain liability insurance prior to opening.
Indianola Police Chief Ronald Sampson said that his main concerns revolved around the potential for the area to revert back to a gathering ground for seedy individuals.
“I will forever worry about that type of element coming back,” Sampson said.
The board agreed to table the motion and allow Young to appear again at a future meeting.
Earnest Money
The City of Indianola agreed on Monday to enter into an contractual agreement with developer Anthony Wansley for the purchase of land along West Davis Circle.
Some board members had expressed a desire for Wansley to place the entire amount for the property, over $40,000, into an escrow account.
Wansley agreed to supply the city with a $2,000 earnest check, which the city accepted this week.
Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi made the motion and voted yes. Ward 2 Alderman Darrell Simpson seconded the motion and voted yes. Ward 3 Alderman Ruben Woods voted yes, and Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder and Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock Jr. abstained.
Main Street
City Engineer Ron Cassada told the board of aldermen this week that Main Street could be completed within the next few weeks.
The board had agreed to a change order extending the paving and street repair project to include all of Main Street. The original project was supposed to stop at Court Avenue, but crews discovered underground pipes at the fire station where they had previously thought none existed.
The city agreed to replace that pipe all the way to Front Avenue.
This caused some delay in the completion of the project as crews worked to locate relevant valves that would allow for repair and replacement.
Cassada said the paving contractor should be back in town to complete the paving portion of the project within the next two weeks.
