Jackson Free Press

Joanie Thompson, a longtime resident of 736 S. President St., can't sleep at night from a throbbing loud bass that rattles her windows. It starts about 10 p.m. most nights and can go until 3 a.m. She knows exactly where the noise is coming from: Club Magoo's, 824 S. State St.

Thompson told the Jackson City Council Tuesday that she talked to the club's management about the noise pollution. "They told me, 'Get used to it. This is the way it is going to be," she said.

"It would be fine if it were music," she said, then explained that she knew music and liked all kinds. The sound waves that bombard her downtown residence thump and reverberate so much that she can't even figure out what genre of music might be playing at the club. "I'm old enough to know the difference between music and bass amps."

Robert Polk, developer of the 726 S. President St. property--the old Dickies Building--also addressed the City Council. "I'm not asking for any business to shut down," he said. "I'm asking for co-operation."

He said the problems started after Club Magoo's opened in the old Mardi Gras location and have continued. Polk said club patrons too drunk to drive stay in the parking lot, sometimes fighting or screaming. "I have a problem with that," he said.

Managers at Club Magoo's have not returned phone calls, yet.

"This is really becoming a nuisance. People are having to move out of the apartments," Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon, Ward 7, said. As more residents come downtown to set up houses, the city needs to do something about noise that includes club patrons fighting and screaming outside people's bedroom windows.

"Your home is your sanctuary," Thompson told the council. She is a small-business owner who operates a hair salon. After long hours at work, she comes home to relax and recuperate. When she needs to sleep, the bass amps blast. "You can't put a pillow over your head. You can't do anything," she said.

"Hold on, help is on the way," Council President Frank Bluntson told her. He said the state already has laws on the book to deal with noise pollution.

The city of Jackson also has noise-control ordinances. Residents of 736 S. President St. have called the police on numerous occasions and are working with the precinct. Thompson told the Jackson Free Press that she finds it reassuring that the council and the police are taking the situation seriously.

"I'm proud to say I live downtown," Thompson said. She moved into her home in 1997 and considers herself one of the first in a wave of people who think living downtown is cool. Club Magoo's opened in October.

Previous Comments

ID

165738

Comment

Club Magoo's management did respond this afternoon via email. "When this issue was brought up to the owner by the two individuals in the article, they explained how they have had the same issues with every previous owner at that address as well as Club Magoo’s. As the owner of club Magoo’s, we went thought every proper permitting procedure, including zoning, and are in the central business district. Club Magoo’s is more than willing to adjust any and all sound issues to insure a good relationship with all surrounding businesses and residents." Kavan Wood, manager, sent the statement he said came from the owner, Danny Thomas.

Author

Valerie Wells

Date

2012-01-12T16:29:31-06:00