The former Roxy club

Impresario David Casey and his partners have abandoned plans to reopen the former Roxy nightclub space at 515 West 18th Street, citing staunch neighborhood opposition. An attorney for the group, Eden Ballroom, which owns nightclubs including Taj Lounge, announced the decision to withdraw its controversial liquor license application at a committee meeting of the local Community Board 4 last night, sparking cheers from a cadre of would-be protesters in the audience. “The only way that we can be successful in applying for a liquor license, as well as maintaining a liquor license, is through a harmonious relationship with the neighbors,” the group’s lawyer, Frank Palillo of the firm Krongold and Palillo, said. “It doesn’t appear as though there’s going to be one. Toward that end, we’re willing to walk away from this project.” He added that the would-be leaseholders were “actively looking at other locations” where the community might be more welcoming, prompting one panel member to quip, “Where there’s no residents?” Comments

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A group of nightlife operators pitched an idea yesterday to Community
Board 4 to open a mega club in the former Roxy disco club space at 515 West 18th Street at 10th Avenue. The group of downtown
nightclub owners, including the Taj Lounge, Katra and Leopard Lounge,
pitched plans for a 2,100-person space to include a restaurant and
catering hall on the main floor, a nightclub in the downstairs space, a
separate café on 19th Street, and a shop next door selling “souvenirs,
clothing, apparel and T-shirts. The group wants use of a parking lot
under the High Line for vehicle drop-offs and pickups. Neighbors at the
community board meeting were not receptive to the idea of another club
opening in the area, with popular nightspots like 1OAK and Avenue
already in close proximity to the proposed club. “We don’t want the
club scene coming down to us,” said Miguel Acevedo, president of the
Fulton Houses Tenant Association. [Chelsea Now]
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