Use of former 'Magic Bus' site still up in the air

With only five days remaining until the Iowa football team kicks off the season against Eastern Illinois, Outside Properties still has no resolution on use of their property at 817 Melrose Ave. in Iowa City.

Tracy Barkalow, part owner of the property, said he had no comment on the situation Monday because they have not made a definitive decision on what the land will be used for come game day.

The Melrose Avenue location had been home to the "Magic Bus," a tailgating staple for Iowa football, for several years. Outside Properties bought the property in 2009 for $500,000, then could not reach a rental agreement with Magic Bus organizers.

The new property owners proposed a new tailgating venture called Stadium Club, which they said would be more polished and would bring a more professional crowd. But in early August, they were denied a temporary-use permit and liquor license for violating a zoning code after paving the entire back yard and adding fencing to the property.

Their plan was to use the lot for commercial parking when not being used as a tailgate area, something Iowa City director of Housing and Inspection Services Doug Boothroy said is not allowed.

Aside from commercial parking being restricted at the location, making permanent improvements to a area that is proposed as a temporary-use site violates the temporary-use requirements.

Boothroy said he expected a comprehensive plan on Aug. 25 from Jim Clark, another property owner, showing how Outside Properties is going to improve the area to comply with the zoning ordinance.

To obtain a temporary-use permit, Outside Properties will have to remove the 23-car parking lot they paved without permission from the city. But Boothroy said even these improvements will not allow for a liquor license because an outdoor service area liquor license requires the location to be at least 100 feet from residential use.

Boothroy believes the Magic Bus may have a chance to reach an agreement with Outside Properties to return to its original location, because as a non-profit organization, the Magic Bus does not need a liquor license.

Barkalow said they are considering offers from a few organizations, including Magic Bus organizers.

Jeremy Freerks, a member of the Iowa City Ducks Rugby Club, which owns and operates the Magic Bus, also had no comment on Monday about the situation.