Trying again: Common Council to decide whether Silk Exotic can open a club downtown



MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Common Council is expected to vote Tuesday, September 22nd on a new Silk Exotic location in downtown Milwaukee.

Last week, a committee rejected Silk officials' plan to open a club in a four-story office building near Milwaukee and Wells -- just west of Cathedral Square. City records show a liquor license was granted in late July.

Silk officials have been trying to open a club in downtown Milwaukee for several years -- and they've taken the city to court over the issue twice.

In February, Silk's owner Joe Ferraro told FOX6 News he's been trying for eight years to build a gentleman's club in downtown Milwaukee.

A federal jury awarded Silk about $435,000 on a Silk lawsuit that sought damages for revenue lost because the city wouldn't grant a license to open a club downtown.

The judgement was reached after a two-day trial. Silk had argued that the ordinances used to reject their license were unconstitutional, and a jury agreed.

Milwaukee's Licensing Committee last said "no" to Silk Exotic back in December of 2014. This, after Silk officials chose two potential sites in the Walker's Point neighborhood.

The full Common Council has the final say in this case.

Alderman Bob Bauman says the biggest concern right now is the size of the proposed club. It would be twice as large as the "Ladybug Club" and Bauman says that venue has already proven problematic.

"The form of entertainment is not the issue for most of these objectors. It is the size, scale, and location of a very large entertainment venue that involves the sale of alcohol," Bauman said.

Bauman says he believes the Common Council will follow the recommendation the committee made, and reject the proposal on Tuesday.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.