By Eric Curl
March 18, 2023 – While former patrons of The Jinx are clamoring for the reopening of the shuttered music venue, zoning officials are not enthusiastic about the idea.
The Metropolitan Planning Commission’s agenda on Tuesday includes a petition for special-use permit to sell alcohol at 2602 Whitaker St., where the owner of the Jinx is planning to reopen the popular bar and music venue following the downtown establishment’s closure in 2020. (Editor’s note: Consideration of the petition was postponed to the April 11 meeting at the applicant’s request.)
Unlike the previous venue, the new site would also include food service, and the zoning district also requires a special-use permit for restaurants.
MPC staff is recommending denial of the request, citing the proposed bar’s proximity to residential properties, parking concerns and proposed operating hours.
“A bar that stays open until 1 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends with live music featured is not a good fit for a mixed-use area with many residences nearby,” the staff report states.
The subject parcel is unusual in that it contains two buildings with separate types of principal uses – the commercial building being eyed for the Jinx and a residential duplex. While the building is large enough to accommodate the intended use, the parcel is reportedly too small to accommodate the minimum required off street parking spaces.
“There is already a perception of a street parking shortage in the Streetcar district, particularly in this area surrounding Starland Yard, and an operation of this size would likely add to this existing issue significantly,” the staff report states.
Meanwhile, 100 letters of support were submitted by area business owners and residents expressing their desire to see the reopening of the venue they described as “iconic”, “legendary” and a “staple of the community.”
Among the letters was one from Chris Rossi, who said he, along with a cousin and business partner, occupies the residential duplex directly next to the proposed music venue.
“I believe that with The Jinx, voted best bar in Savannah for 9 years running, we will continue the legacy of the Starland District being the premier arts and culture sector of Savannah,” Rossi said. “Please allow this wonderful establishment to bring more great art to our wonderful and quirky neighborhood.”
Hosting a variety of genre-spanning musical acts, including rock, metal, country and hip hop, the original Jinx entertained music fans for 17 years before closing its doors at 127 West Congress St. in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proposed renovations for the new location, a vacant one-story building at 43rd and Whitaker streets, were approved by the Historic Preservation Commission in November. The building was built in 1915, but has been significantly altered to the point that is not considered historic, according to the staff report.
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