Atlanta City Council Rejects Cheshire Bridge Redevelopment Plan

At the council meeting, the measure’s opponents which included employees and attorneys of the adult businesses outnumbered its supporters.

Sabrina Ramey, a manager at the Club Onyx strip club, said she’ll sleep easier knowing her employer isn’t going anywhere. After the vote, she made an appeal to the club’s neighbors. 

“Really I’d hope that they would take the time to get to know us. We’re not prostitutes. We’re not out committing crimes. We’re family people. We go to church. We do everything normal just like they do.”

The measure sought to rezone the area and give strips clubs and others adult businesses five years to relocate. Councilman Alex Wan, the bill’s sponsor, championed the legislation for months, and local neighborhood groups and the city’s law department were in strong support. 

Ultimately though, Wan, who himself referred to the proposal as “radical”, failed to address concerns that it was a violation of private property rights.

Before voting against the measure, Councilman CT Martin said it didn’t seem fair to property owners and businesses.

“I don’t know if this is a piece of legislation that solves a problem in one neighborhood but makes it potentially a problem for others.”

Other council members including Cleta Winslow and Joyce Shepard praised Wan’s efforts, despite voting no. They appeared surprised and encouraged to find out the city’s law department deemed the proposal legally defensible.

In any event, after the meeting, a disappointed Wan said the redevelopment push is dead for now, but he’d continue to be open to new ideas.

“I hope folks understand my job is to represent my constituents and not all my constituents are going to be on the same page on every issue. And, yes, some times it will divide the community, but my job also is not to shy away from the difficult issues,” said Wan.

Those voting against the measure were Martin, Shepard, Winslow, Howard Shook, Ivory Lee Young Jr., Felicia Moore, Yolanda Adrean, Kwanza Hall, and Natalyn Mosby Archibong. Those in favor were Wan, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Carla Smith, Michael Julian Bond, Aaron Watson, and H. Lamar Willis.