Zoning board approves alcohol-free rock venue

4040 Locust will house the new club, which will open by early March. While the Ben on a Bench statue on Locust Walk won't hear a thing, students a little further down the road will soon feel the rhythm, when an alcohol-free indie rock music venue moves into 4040 Locust Street. At a zoning board of adjustments meeting yesterday afternoon, city officials and community residents approved zoning changes to permit a music club at the space next to the Video Library, the former Urban Outfitters site. The move will allow 4040, previously called Stalag 2000, to open by early March, according to Tom Lussenhop, the University's top real estate official. Lussenhop said the zoning board supported the stipulations of both the University and community that 4040 Locust be a place of public assembly barring the sale of alcohol, food or beverages. No alcohol may be brought to the property either. Club co-owner Sean Agnew said he is hoping for a March 3 opening for 4040, where he said he and partners Anthony Croasdale and Andrew Martini will run two or three shows every week for the facility's first few months. "At this point, it looks like it's gonna happen," Agnew said yesterday. "There [are] no other barriers." Agnew said there were very few concerns at yesterday's hearing, noting that the zoning board questioned only the hypothetical possibility of raves occurring at the site. Lussenhop added that some issues were raised about the University's control over the establishment. He answered these by saying Penn will learn how to carry out shows "event by event" over the next few years. 4040 Locust Street will serve as a temporary location until the University finds a permanent venue more suitable for a music club. According to Lussenhop, the 4040 Locust site requires "very modest" renovations, including a new door, stage and the removal of a stairwell. With the arrival of a music club, Hillel programming -- currently held in the building over the Sabbath -- will not be displaced, according to officials. "The two uses will co-exist," Lussenhop said yesterday. Hillel Director Jeremy Brochin said he understood that the club will not be open during Sabbath events, while his organization holds services. And Agnew said 4040 will start shows after Friday night services, adding that the club will not operate during the week of Passover later in the spring. According to Lussenhop, 4040 shows will begin at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and last until about midnight. Spruce Hill Community Association President Barry Grossbach signed a letter last month, indicating that the community did not oppose the granting of the University's license to the club's operators. He said the University will deal with any problems that arise, adding that the lease is under Penn and not the owners of the club. Agnew has been in talks with the University about opening a club in the area since last summer. In the fall, plans to build the venue at 40th and Market streets fell through because, Agnew said at the time, Penn officials were afraid the club would increase area crime. Students reacted with petitions, signs and letters and Penn officials resumed their discussions with Agnew shortly afterward. When the club opens, it will fulfill the alcohol task force's recommendation to open a late-night, alcohol-free music club on or near campus. Students praised the zoning decision. "It's an integral part of the 40th Street development," said Social Planning and Events Committee President Jonathan Herrmann, a Wharton senior whom administrators consulted in the club's initial planning. "It's right on campus, and people will just want to go check it out." Herrmann added, "It's gonna be awesome."

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