Wooly's is at risk of losing its ability to sell alcohol after the property was deemed a "nuisance" because it violated the city's noise ordinance, according to city documents.
Why it matters: The East Village staple, which offers a stage for local and touring artists, is one of the city's few midsize music venues.
Driving the news: A zoning enforcement officer is recommending the Zoning Board of Adjustment reconsider the building's conditional use permit after noise levels in the area immediately outside the venue exceeded 65 decibels, the most allowed by the city.
- Two valid noise complaints were confirmed by police, Zoning Enforcement Officer Chris Heilskov tells Axios.
How it started: Noise complaints from a nearby property owner, Chuck Larson, prompted police to monitor the venue's sound, and they determined it violated city code, Loyd Ogle, a local attorney in the music industry, tells Axios.
- "Persistent mid-afternoon disturbances" have disrupted business operations for tenants at 510 E. Locust St., Mike Richards, an attorney for 510 E. Locust LLC, told Axios in a statement.
- Richards says the venue has declined his clients' requests for Wooly's to move the venue's sound check schedule from earlier in the day to 5pm.
The other side: Josh Ivey, co-owner of the venue, says they were "taken off guard" by the zoning officer's recommendation, saying they haven't dealt with major issues like this before.
- As more businesses and people move into the East Village, he hopes the issue is just a part of "growing pains" between the venue, city officials and the neighborhood, he says.
Details: Musicians at Wooly's occasionally conduct sound checks earlier in the day and neighboring businesses can hear them, Ogle says.
- Most nearby workers are gone in the evenings when the concerts occur.
Tension point: Wooly's tries to hold the majority of its sound checks after 4:30pm, but it's difficult to force that schedule on national touring acts, Ogle explains.
- Many of those acts simply wouldn't agree to play at Wooly's if a later sound check was required, and that would hurt the venue just as much as losing a liquor license, he says.
What they're saying: "Wooly's is a destination," Kaitlin Blunck, the owner of the building, tells Axios. "Losing Wooly's will shake the entire area."
- Her late father, architect Kirk Blunck, rehabilitated the building to bring creative businesses like Wooly's to the once-dilapidated area, she says.
The big picture: Des Moines has spent years balancing live music venues and the noise they can cause for neighbors.
- In 2022, the city council rejected a proposal that would have required shows at Lauridsen Amphitheater to end an hour earlier.
- In 2019, the city also considered more noise restrictions at outdoor venues like Brenton Skating Plaza, following complaints from neighbors.
What's next: The Zoning Board of Adjustment will consider the Wooly's issue on Sept. 25.
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