Karma refuses city's shutdown request

Karma nightclub, deemed a public nuisance by Minneapolis officials, says it will not oblige the city's request to close its doors for 90 days.

"We have no intention of closing," said co-owner John Barlow, who asked that all other questions be directed to the club's attorney, Scott Harris.

The downtown club, at 315 1st Av. N., has been the scene of several violent encounters in recent months, including a stabbing inside the club and several shootings nearby.

Last Friday, city officials took the unusual step of recommending that Karma close immediately for 90 days and come up with a plan for improved security.

Karma responded in a letter Tuesday. Harris said the city issued 15 points as conditions of abatement. In its letter, Karma addressed each request and made proactive suggestions of its own, said Harris, who declined to share a copy of the document.

In one request, the city said that if Karma were to reopen in the fall, it must close at midnight. Harris said Karma would not agree to that, as it would put the club at a competitive disadvantage.

The club did agree to some points. In April, a woman stabbed a fellow club goer with broken glass. Karma will now only use plastic containers. Harris cited several other security measures, including the use of Breathalyzers at the front door, increased uniformed security guards and a computerized ID scanning system.

Last Friday, city officials said they were evaluating Karma's liquor license, up for renewal since April but not yet acted upon. Harris said he has not heard back from the city on that matter.

On Thursday, city officials said in a statement that it was too early to respond to Karma's letter.

"The city takes this matter very seriously and will review the response thoroughly before determining its options," said Dana Banwer, Minneapolis' director of licensing and environmental services.

Harris successfully defended the northeast Minneapolis bar Gabby's in its fight with Minneapolis over new liquor-license restrictions in 2009. He said the city's nuisance claims against Karma have more to do with what is happening in the streets, which he contends Karma cannot control.

"If you're really trying to address what you claim is nuisance on the premises, we've done some things voluntarily that we think have made it virtually impossible for that sort of thing to happen. If you don't agree, let's hear why you don't agree."