Residents on Cleveland's west side are demanding city hall take a closer look at adult cabarets operating along West 25 Street.
Community activist Sandy Smith told newsnet5.com she wants the city to confirm all of the clubs are operating with their occupancy permits, and within city guidelines.
Smith believes the clubs attract crime and slow down critical business development along the W. 25th Street business corridor.
"We don't want these on W. 25th Street, we don't want them a few feet away from homes," said Smith.
"We're not really sure what goes on inside these clubs, whether it's full nudity or partial nudity and that changes the designation for them."
"This is an area prime for revitalization. Metro Health has indicated that they are planning on investing a billion dollars in this area in the next several years. So It's a deterrent to that kind of development."
Cleveland block club leader Henry Senyak pointed to a 2002 lawsuit he believes prevents the Peek-A-Boo Club from legally operating an adult entertainment venue, and he's demanding Cleveland's Department of Building and Housing investigate.
"The board of zoning appeals has denied them the right to be an adult cabaret and so has the lower court and the state courts," said Senyak. "This has been writing for 14 years."
newsnet5.com tried to reach the owners of adult clubs along W. 25 Street for comment, including the owner of the Peek-A-Boo Club, but so far we have not received any response.
Cleveland Councilman Brian Cummins said he would look into whether all adult clubs are operating legally along W. 25th Street, and told newsnet5.com he'd like these venues moved out of his business district.
newsnet5.com also contacted the Department of Building and Housing through the Cleveland Mayor's office, and it pledged to check and make sure all adult venues were in compliance.
