City Council OKs Center City Bar/Billiards Parlor; Neighbors Promise Court Fight
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia City Council today gave its final approval to what would be the city's first "upscale" billiards parlor. But the project promises to quickly end up in court.
City Council unanimously approved the plans to turn the old Beneficial Bank building at 12th and Chestnut Streets -- vacant for a decade -- into what the developer calls an "upscale" billiards club with a bar and rooftop lounge area (see previous stories).
"We anticipate that the American Pool Association would probably have sanctioned and sponsored events and tournaments there, and put Philadelphia on the map for professional billiard and pool playing," boasts the developer's attorney, Ron Patterson.
The Council bill includes provisions to meet concerns of nearby residents about noise from the billiards parlor and rooftop lounge.
But John Kaskey, an attorney for a resident in a nearby condominium building, calls the measure "spot zoning" and says he plans to file a legal challenge to its constitutionality, and stop the project from going forward.
Reported by KYW City Hall Bureau chief Mike Dunn
