New Green Bay, Wisconsin, Club In Permit Troubles
The new owners of the Oval Office gentlemen’s club at 1100 Main St., Green Bay, WI, have run into permit problems while remodeling in preparation for opening. The Oval Office is in the location previously occupied by Bamboo Room, a nude club that served alcohol and operated in that spot for 20 years.
City inspectors have issued a stop work order because the renovations have gone beyond what is allowed by restrictions enacted in 1992. The 1992 ordinance prohibits adult use at that location. But because there was an existing club operating there, Bamboo Room, it was grandfathered in and allowed to operate as a non-permitted use. As part of these restrictions, the building could not be altered or improved beyond 50% of its 1992 value, or else it would lose its grandfather-clause status and be required to get a new permit.
Property values and remodeling costs have appreciated greatly since 1992, severely limiting the new owners’ ability to improve the place for patrons while still maintaining its ability to offer adult entertainment. Structural improvements are limited to a paltry $20,450. Exceeding that amount would mean that the new owners would lose their grandfathered status. They would then need to get a new use permit to operate; they would not be able to get one for adult entertainment.