City requires “Bee Hive” repairs, owner requests time extension
on October 13, 2011
The red-tagged building in the Iron Triangle that housed the “Bee Hive” — an illegal, underground club busted in mid-September — is now hanging in the balance as the property owner scrambles to make repairs.
This flyer for the "Bee Hive Ultra Lounge" was publicly distributed after the August 28 party bust.
The owner of 512 MacDonald Ave., located across from the Nevin Center, agreed to make the changes required by code enforcement and the city attorney. But the initial deadline has come and gone due to problems obtaining a contractor.
“The owner has been cooperating 100 percent, he has given us no problems at all,” said Richmond Police Department Detective Nicole Abetkov. “Feasibly, you would hope that they could meet those dates. They couldn’t.”
The parties held in the “Bee Hive” were characterized by a foam machine that blasted soapy bubbles on the dance floor — and by a slew of out-of-town, scantily clad and underage revelers.
One particular event broken up by police on August 28 was in violation of a number of codes including a lack of required unlocked exits, failure to have the proper sound permits and extension cords lying in hot, soapy water.
Party attendees leave after the police bust on August 28. The front door they are walking through had to be physically forced open by the fire department in order to get everyone outside. (photo courtesy of: The Richmond Police Department)
Officers counted more than 200 people in the space with a maximum capacity of 20. Police said party attendees, including minors, were also allowed to bring and consume alcohol inside.
Further inspection of the property found a total of 16 fire and municipal code violations including exposed electrical wiring, graffiti and an open sewage line in the bathroom.
Party host Bryan Jackson applied for and was denied a church permit on September 6, calling his group the “Nu Faith Fellowship.”
Although neighbors complained that Jackson was trying to set up more parties after August 28, Abetkov noted that neither Jackson nor anyone else has tried to enter the building since it was red-tagged.
Jackson was also renting a house from the same property owner. He violated that contract by keeping a pit bull on the premises and is being evicted.
Code enforcement and the city attorney are working with the property owner to figure out how much more time it will realistically take to repair 512 MacDonald. In the meantime, the building is still red-tagged and no one is allowed to enter without police or fire escort.
3 Comments
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I was at that party, and I would like to point out that Richmond has one of the highest crime rates in the bay area, yet none of the guests at that party were knowingly involved in any illegal activity. There were no minors drinking that I saw, or alcohol served on the premise. The security guard made me go back to my car to put my pocket knife away before I could enter. I find it ironic that police would even brake up such a peaceful gathering when there is so much “REAL” crime happening in their city that they could be focusing on.
I would think that they would be flattered by the fact that, that many people were willing to even go to Richmond, because of its reputation. When you disallow peace, all you will get is violence. No-wonder Richmond has such a high crime rate.
This is bryan jackson, and none of this is true!!! Except for the landlord Inderjit and Jasdeep bal are slumlards
I was also there. I had the best time of my life! On of the Richmond police officer took me back to my hotel and we talked about how much fun everyone was having.
!