Augusta leaders reverse penalty for crime-plagued nightclub
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta Commission on Tuesday rescinded six months of liquor-license probation for a nightclub that’s been the site of violent crime.
Nearly a month ago, city leaders put Club Rain, 1885 Gordon Highway, on notice that it could lose its liquor license, placing the business on probation and requiring it to post three special officers anytime it’s open.
Questions were raised over whether the club is a magnet for crime after a 22-year-old man was shot dead in January at the business.
Nearly a year earlier, another bar, Level 9 Sports Bar & Grill at 3054 Damascus Road, received the same punishment after a series of shootings, one of which was fatal.
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The sheriff’s office initially wanted Club Rain’s license suspended.
The commission vote was 7-3 to rescind the suspension.
Club Rain and two convenience stores have been at the center of a debate on whether businesses should be held able for crimes that occur there.
One store in particular, Smart Grocery at 3221 Wrightsboro Road, has been the site of at least nine shootings in recent years, two of them fatal.
Blaming a cluster of high-crime apartment complexes nearby, the store owner says he’s been working with deputies to solve the problem.
City officials have discussed probation for Smart Grocery and Stop N Shop, but decided Tuesday on a 6-4 vote to take no action.
A CITY SALUTE:
Also Tuesday, Augusta Commission approved a design concept plan for Phase I of the Newman Tennis Center.
The project has been the subject of heated discussions and officials work to bring tennis matches back to Augusta.
The city will continue with the preliminary and final design process.
City officials nearly a year ago approved $4 million in SPLOST 8 bond funding for the center.
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