By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: Rev. Ell White II addresses the city council regarding Adrienne’s Bar request.
In a public hearing prior to Tuesday evening’s Prattville City Council meeting, Prattville residents and city leaders clashed over a request by the owner of Adrienne’s Bar in downtown Prattville for an amended Lounge Retail Liquor-Class 1 License.
According to the resolution, 2650 LLC d/b/a Adrienne’s Bar, located at 121 West Main Street, requested an “extension of the approved area whereby alcohol sales may occur and the proposed extended outdoor space is located on a city public access easement and will require an executed usage agreement.”
During the hearing, Adrienne’s owner Derry Edwards spoke to councilmembers, along with City Engineer Robby Anderson, and explained his request, which included the use of three existing parking spaces and the movement of a portion of sidewalk for the extension of his outdoor area.
The council asked multiple questions about the parking spaces, which are on city property.
“It’s all city property,” asked District 4 Council President Jerry Starnes.
“Yes sir,” answered Anderson. “All three parking places will be outside of Adrienne’s property line.”
Anderson went on to say that Edward’s was proposing to move the sidewalk further south to still allow pedestrian access and that Edwards agreed to fund it.
Starnes asked if there were any other alternatives to the current plan.
“We’ve discussed a number of options in the last four years,” said Anderson. “This is the one he’d like to proceed with.”
The Council President continued to ask for other possible alternative plans.
Edwards further explained why he had put forward the current proposal.
Councilmember Lora Lee Boone (District 7) then asked for Edwards to clarify if he supported the proposal or was against it, to which he at first said no but then corrected himself and said that yes, he supported the resolution to grant Adrienne’s the amended license.
Robert Strichik, Councilman from District 6, then asked if there were any other options, to which Edwards reiterated the situation.
“I don’t see what the problem is,” Edwards said.
John Chambers, District 3 Councilman, then asked once again if there was any way Edwards could come up with a plan that did not take up the three parking places.
“The downside of his proposal is the loss of three parking spaces,” said Anderson.
“No one parks back there unless they’re coming to the bar,” commented Edwards. “It butts right up to our building. I wouldn’t affect no one but us and after five, no one’s there anyway.”
Starnes asked again, “Once again, whose property is that?”
“The parking spaces are all city property,” Anderson repeated. “It’s adjacent to Mr. Edward’s property.”
Edwards repeated that there would be no cost to the city to move the sidewalk because he would fund it.
The public was also allowed to speak to the council with any concerns regarding the request and Reverend Ell White II approached the group.
“I don’t understand what’s the hold up,” White said. “I’ve been in several of these meetings, and you know I have, and every time anybody of color comes up here, you all send him through the ringer for anything they want to do but anybody else, they get it easy and clean to go straight through.”
The Reverend continued by addressing the cost issue.
“He said he would take the cost for moving the sidewalk then you ask the question three times,” he said. “How much is it going to cost the city? It seems like you’re giving him a hard time on purpose. Why not make this city multi-diverse and let people of color own businesses, especially African American men? It shouldn’t be that way. Especially if we’re going to call this the preferred city. Let’s stop hindering progress and let’s be a part of progress. Let’s do what’s right.”
Another resident, Patrick Lucas, came up after White and expressed similar concerns about the city council’s treatment of African Americans.
“Now I could say it’s a race thing but I’m sure it’s not a racial because we’re in the Preferred Community. But it’s leaning toward that way,” said Lewis. “I know you all don’t have an answer because all y’all get together and make up your decisions before you get here, but its pathetic that a man runs a good business and I don’t know if he’s the only black down here or not, but I’ve never heard the police there, I’ve never heard any complaints but every time he tries to do anything, you guys got to ask a million questions.”
The public hearing was closed after Lewis sat down but when the regular meeting began, Mayor Bill Gillespie shared his thoughts on the measure.
Gillespie said he wanted the council to know that he was not in favor of the resolution granting the amended license to Adrienne’s because of the impact it would have on parking and because the City of Prattville has invested significant amount of money and time improving the area behind City Hall.
“It’s such an attraction to so many people coming out onto our Creekwalk back here,” he said.
Gillespie said that he has spent a lot of time with Mr. Edwards and his staff reviewing the proposal.
“There have been a lot of changes, but one of the things that has been constant about all of this is that it (Adrienne’s) is a lounge and the City of Prattville does have an easement that’s been in place prior to 2003 that there would be public egress allowed in this area.”
He added that he believes the city has already accommodated Adrienne’s in many ways.
“I will have to disagree with Mr. Darri. His parking spots affect a lot more than just his business,” Gillespie said.
When the resolution came up for a vote, Starnes and Chambers voted no with all other councilors voting yes. The motion passed and the amendment was approved.
