If the proposed strip club gets through the official process at
City Hall
– and that should be made as difficult as possible – the place
will shut down eventually.
1. On a business development level, it’s a seedy proposal without merit
If the proposed strip club gets through the official process at City Hall – and that should be made as difficult as possible – the place will shut down eventually.
It would be better if Ante Bilic, who operates a number of strip clubs in the Bay Area, would simply pack up his pole-dancing proposal and stick with what’s working up north.
A strip club near the outlet mall, in front of Home Depot and Staples and on the way to Saint Louise Hospital, doesn’t fit Gilroy’s business development bill. And it’s not a fit with our community’s standards.
2. Putting more strain on already taxed police resources sheer folly
Beyond that, there’s a key issue that’s far less esoteric: calls for service to the police department. Gilroy’s resources, as most residents know, are under great financial strain, and there is already enough criminal activity to keep the police department plenty busy. Adding a strip club to the mix and the inevitable issues that come with it makes absolutely no sense.
Prostitution, drug sales and use, money laundering, driving while intoxicated … a strip club is a magnet for criminal activity, a magnet that Gilroy doesn’t need to add to its refrigerator door. It’s a more-than-attractive nuisance for those who would engage in activities that will stress our resources.
And what does Gilroy get in return? Nothing.
3. An underlying planning lesson should be learned for the future
There’s also a planning lesson here. The lull in the economy should give our city leaders time to ponder the future. If the El Amigo Restaurant was not in acute financial distress, this proposal would not have landed in the City Council’s lap – where it’s clearly headed.
The point is, there is merit in considered growth as opposed to the no-holds-barred variety which Gilroy embraced in its recent past. Just because somebody wants to build or open something doesn’t make it a good idea. Planning restraint can be healthy, especially when considering the outskirts of our town.
Gilroy’s current ordinance makes it appropriately difficult to open a strip club or adult business. The message through the process should be clear: our city does not welcome this. Hopefully, Mr. Bilic will get that message and abandon ship before he sinks any more money into what will be a losing proposition.
