http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...te=fullarticle

As most know the venerable blues bar, a north Corktown stalwart, suffered a terrible fire last October. Seems that the City is giving them a tough time because the owners are holding an old liquor license which doesn't jive with the modern standard of not having bars in residential areas.

Silly, considering the neighborhood and it return to nature setting.

But there is a hearing next week on the building permit and the liquor license.

Now, as Nancy Whiskey's owners -- husband and wife Eva Reyes and Gerald Stevens -- hope to rebuild, they face zoning troubles. A hearing before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals is set for Tuesday. ...

Owners, Reyes and Stevens plan to attend a hearing Tuesday before the Detroit Zoning Board of Appeals that could decide its fate.

...

Reyes and Stevens hold a liquor license that's more than 100 years old. It exempted the bar from adhering to more recent zoning rules.
But, because the cost of repairs from the fire damage for Nancy Whiskey's exceeds 60% of the assessed value, "they have to go through the approval process again," said Ed Cardenas, spokesman for Mayor Dave Bing's office. They'll need approval to retain a classification that allows it to operate as a bar in a neighborhood that is zoned residential.
...

Though the bar won't be open for St. Patrick's Day, Reyes and Stevens are working to team up with a nonprofit organization to host a St. Patrick's Day party on March 14 [[the date of the annual Detroit St. Patrick's Day parade) and on March 17 in a tent on the Nancy Whiskey's property. Plans have not been finalized, but information will be on www.nancywhiskeydetroit.comcq,dr when details are available.

I know everyone's plate is full to overflowing, and attending a brain-numbing meeting is not high on your list of things to do. But...