Security an issue for proposed Buffalo Grove dance club

The off and on plans to open a dance club at a Buffalo Grove bowling and family entertainment center may end up off again.

During a public hearing Monday, the Buffalo Grove village board and Bill Feldgreber, managing partner of eSkape, 350 McHenry Road, fell short of reaching agreement on how to address security issues at the proposed dance arena. The board continued the hearing to Dec. 21, and Feldgreber said he would continue talks with the village.

But the outlook for a resolution to the impasse appears bleak, since Feldgreber said he could not meet the cost of paying for at least two Buffalo Grove police officers to help provide security.

Feldgreber wants to take 4,100 square feet of his 58,000-square-foot facility and use it for corporate events and social gatherings. But he also plans to host dance parties on Friday and Saturday nights, one night for 17-to-20-year-olds and another night for the 21-and-over crowd.

Buffalo Grove police Chief Steve Balinski, after consulting with law enforcement agencies from areas that have hosted dance clubs, said he wants sworn Buffalo Grove police officers on hand to address concerns about possible problems with gangs, drugs and violence.

Feldgreber proposed instead using a private security firm, having retired Chicago police officer Thomas Flanagan testify that his firm could handle the job and even hire Buffalo Grove officers under contract for less cost.

Balinski said the biggest concern for the police department regards what happens outside the club. "Hiring trained officers will help."

The cost for Feldgreber would be $68 per officer for five hours. With other additional security, he said it would amount to $1,605 per night.

Balinski said he is willing to modify the requirement after a six-month monitoring period.

Trustee Lisa Stone suggested that maybe the village would consider giving Feldgreber a discount.

But Balinski said this is consistent with what the village charges synagogues and churches for extra patrols.

Village President Elliott Hartstein said, "We can't differentiate. It just wouldn't be fair."

Village Manager William Brimm added, "This is not a moneymaker for the village." He said the fee covers the cost of overtime for the officers.

"What can we do on the government end to help them?" Stone asked. "It's not just any business," saying it would help get kids off the streets. "Can someone come up with something so we can just move on?"

But Hartstein said, "This is a policy matter. That is not a decision of one person."

"I've given in in a lot of areas," Feldgreber said. "From a financial and economic standpoint, I can't just step down on this issue."

Trustee Steven Trilling also noted that a decrease in the charge for officers would ultimately be paid by the taxpayers.

The board haggled with Feldgreber over a number of issues, including his options if the nights for 17 to 20-year-olds proved unsuccessful.

The suggestion of possibly catering only to those 21 and older did not sit well with Trustee DeAnn Glover, who was among those noting that the dance club was billed as a productive outlet for younger people.

"I feel like there is a bait and switch here," she said.

Feldgreber said, "I would like both of them to succeed," adding that he is not just opening for business next week. "I have been open for seven years.

"I have more to lose than anybody here if this blows up."