Former site of the Spaghetti Works (right side of building) on Court Avenue in Downtown Des Moines. Photo: Google Maps - Street View
The City of Des Moines zoning board has voted to deny a conditional use permit that would have allowed Larry Smithson the ability to open another bar in the old Spaghetti Works building on Court Avenue. The board reasoned another bar would add to the chaos in the district.
"The Court Avenue District is at a critical mass, at a tipping point, and that is not in a good way" said Mel Pins, with the zoning board, who led the hearing. He says the building has been empty for 18 months. "This isn't about who wants to operate it, it's about what the operations are." Pins said police have been assaulted, and crowd chaos has led to the street being closed down at times.
Residents are also spoke out. Jeanette, a resident of Cowles Commons says a lot of noise and screaming comes from the area.
"When I would go down and speak with some some of the employees of the bars," she said, "they would all point the finger at Mr. Smithson's (other) business."
Smithson says comments from the public were strong. "I think I'm the best person for the Court Avenue Building" he said. "We will have food, we will have fun entertainment."
The board voted unanimously, 7-0, against the conditional use permit.
Plan DSM, a strategy previously adopted by the City of Des Moines, wants Court Avenue to become a larger entertainment district.