Future Down and Over tavern license considered tonight at public meeting

A public meeting is scheduled tonight at 6pm in the former Bay View Brew Haus, 2534 S. Kinnickinnic. District 14 Ald. Tony Zielinski is hosting the meeting to take public comment concerning the tavern license application of Tim Brodersen whose hearing before the city’s License Committee is May 7. The Common Council votes on his application May 22.

Brodersen purchased the property March 30 from former owner Stephen Fix who had held a land contract to purchase the property from owner Arthur Manske. Manske had operated a banquet hall in the premise.

Brodersen opened the tavern April 6. On that evening, neighbors Joanie and Terry Kitzrow whose home is directly west of the bar alerted Ald. Zielinski  to complain that the bar had opened. Zielinski responded by calling the police and instructed them Brodersen shut down.

Neighborhood Opposition

Joanie Kitzrow contacted the Compass April 23 to voice her opposition to the new tavern. She claimed that she represented the opinion and sentiment of a number of her neighbors who are planning to oppose Brodersen’s tavern license. She said that during the tenure of former Bay View Brew Haus owner Stephen Fix, her property was subject to litter and urination by Brew Haus patrons. Kitzrow said that she and her neighbors were often disturbed by loud music from the bar and by patrons who loitered outside the bar.

She and her husband Terry Kitzrow, she said, felt betrayed by Stephen Fix, who stated during a public meeting concerning his plans for the Bay View Brew Haus, that his establishment planned to book live music but that he would restrict it acoustic music because he wanted to respect the neighbors surrounding the bar.

Kitzrow said that she contacted Ald. Zielinski April 2, the day before the spring election in which Zielinski was defending aldermanic seat, “when we heard a rumor that a new bar was to open” in the shuttered Bay View Brew Haus. She claims that Zielinski told her that he was not aware of any bar opening. The following evening, at Zielinski’s election celebration, Kitzrow claimed that she again asked Zielinski about the bar. Kitzrow said that Zielinski replied, “If they open with live music, I will shut them down.”

Zielinski denies that he told Kitzrow on April 2 that he was unaware of the Brew Haus sale. He confirmed that he spoke to her at his April 3 election party and promised to send the police, if Brodersen had live music at the bar.

The Compass contacted Ald. Zielinski for comment March 29, the day after we published a notice of the pending sale of the Brew Haus to Brodersen. Zielinski said that he just learned of the pending sale that day and claimed he was completely unaware until  “today when I read it online.”

He also said that he contacted the Milwaukee Police Department’s License Investigation Unit on March 29 or thereabouts to inform them that Brodersen stated publicly that he intended to begin operating March 29th.

The police met with Brodersen and informed him that he must have Stephen Fix’s agent status transferred to Brodersen before he could operate, said Zielinski.

In order for Brodersen to operate the bar before being granted a tavern license, Wisconsin law provides that the new owner must become the successor agent of the corporation who holds the current license. The successor agent can operate until he/she is granted his/her license. The license was held by Spectacle Enterprises, Inc., and the agent to whom the license was granted was Stephen Fix.

Zielinski said that he closed Brodersen down April 6 because he didn’t know that Brodersen had in fact become the new agent. The following day, April 7, Zielinski said he consulted Brodersen, who confirmed that he had been appointed as agent, that he had informed the Licenses Division of the change, completed their paperwork, and was informed by their staff that he could operate. He resumed operation April 20. His attorney’s letter informing the city of the agent-status change was hand delivered to the city April 12.

Kitzrow said that she and her neighbor will oppose a tavern license for Brodersen.

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