The "Where Are You" Picture Thread

**ChumpChange** · 01-03-2014, 09:25 AM

http://www.dailybulletin.com/general...eadline-passes

MONTCLAIR -- Friday came and went as did the deadline for the former Deja Vu strip club to be painted plain beige. However, there was other activity on the property that did not involve paint crews.

San Bernardino County sent an inspector to the site this week who confirmed the lights were turned on but the place is not doing business.

David Wert, spokesman for the county, said inspectors will continue to monitor the property and take any immediate action if it opens for business.

The former adult venue was painted a bright pink last week, a move that has irked San Bernardino County and Montclair city officials.

San Bernardino County officials have plenty of reason to be upset, the property owner of the adult venue is in violation of a 10-year-old settlement agreement which required it close for business in November. The agreement also spells out the building must be painted a specific color of beige.

On Friday, the county said it is still making efforts to communicate with the property owner and get them to comply with the settlement.

If not, the county may considered taking the issue to court to enforce the terms of the settlement.

County leaders issued the Tollis, Inc. the club's owner a letter giving them until Friday to change the paint.

The attorney for Tollis, Inc., property owner had no information about Friday's deadline.

The bright pink building is clearly visible heading south on Central Avenue, from top of the Central Avenue bridge.

"It's an eye-catcher," says Wanda Johnson who works across the street at Lifetime Day Program.

Johnson said recalls noticing when the painting began last week but didn't think they would paint the entire building that color. Since then, the building's new coat has been the topic of many discussions.

"That's a bright pink, to me it's to draw attention to their business," she said. "It's a bit over the top."

Johnson knew the business has been closed for some time but said she had no idea the property owner was attempting to reopen it as a sports club.

Johnson said the new color creates an awkward situation to her and the parents of her clients. Lifetime's clients are developmentally disabled adults.

"It doesn't make sense unless to draw attention," she said.

In 2002, the county and the owner of the club had agreed that Deja Vu could remain in operation until November 2012. Prior to that agreement the club owners and the county has been in litigation for 15 years about their location.

The location at Mission Boulevard and Central is unincorporated land adjacent to the Montclair city limits.

Montclair city officials on Monday expressed their frustration over the decision to paint the building pink. City officials have opposed plans to convert the 7,048-square-foot business into a sports bar and for it to sell alcohol.

Council members were also unhappy to see the 34-foot-tall sign was still up. Steve Lustro, community development director for Montclair, explained that pylon was a source of debate between the property owner and the county.

San Bernardino County only allows 25-foot-signs and the property owner has failed to provide any documents proving it was built legally, Lustro told the council on Monday.

City officials say they considered this a detriment to the work that has been going on in the corridor. In the last 15 years the city has expended more than $11 million in street-scape improvements along Mission Boulevard, a portion of which is in the county territory.