News Brief: Thursday, January 27,2000

Hearing postponed for U. City indie club Earlier this month, Tom Lussenhop, Penn's top retail official, said the 4040 Locust Street space was emerging as the leading candidate for the club that would operate under University license, and possibly open in early February. He said the site must pass final approval by city officials and local residents before the club can move in. Yesterday, Spruce Hill Community Association President Barry Grossbach said the community is not opposing the granting of the University's license to the club's operators, who used to run Stalag 13 near the intersection of 39th and Lancaster streets until it closed last year after city officials discovered it was operating without any of the necessary permits. Grossbach said he signed a community letter on Monday with the University's attorney indicating the community's stance, which includes stipulations that there be no selling of alcohol, food or beverages and no alcohol brought to the property. The letter also includes limits on the number of shows the club can have per week and the hours of operation. "If there is a problem, the University has indicated that they certainly will deal with it," Grossbach said, adding that the lease is under Penn, not the club's operators. "There is a real cooperative spirit working here," he said. Club co-owner Sean Agnew said he had hoped to test the facility with a small show on February 4, but may have to alter plans. "We have no idea when the hearing is going to be postponed to," Agnew said last night. If the club opens, it will fulfill the alcohol task force's recommendation to open up a late-night, alcohol-free music club on or near campus. -- Aliya Sternstein