Willow Glen Resident
News
Old Alano Club building is sold to Los Gatos developer, Lexor
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
The Alano Club West's tumultuous existence in Willow Glen has come to an abrupt end.
According to Bradley Hindley, former co-owner of the building at 1139 Minnesota Ave., the property that once served as a haven for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts was sold about a month ago to Lexor Investments, a Los Gatos developer.
A representative for Lexor Investments said the company has no plans for the site yet.
The property is zoned as commercial.
The building has sat vacant for a year, since the city ordered the Alano Club West to close its doors Oct. 31, 2006. The closure was triggered by ongoing complaints of noise and parking issues from neighbors and some Willow Glen businesses.
The San Jose Planning Commission, however, at a November 2006 hearing agreed to let the club reopen once it secured the appropriate permit and made numerous improvements aimed at resolving noise and privacy issues in the neighborhood.
The club was unable to reopen because it never met the city's requirements.
Instead, meetings were held at various venues, including at the Willow Glen Baptist Church, Denny's on Alma Avenue and Alano Club at Fair Avenue.
"We were scattered for awhile and then regrouped," said Chris Carson, a member of the Alano Club West Board of Directors.
The 30-year-old club relocated in July to American Legion Post 99 in Campbell, which is off Dell Avenue.
More than 300 members attended its first meeting in July, and Carson says this new environment has positive momentum.
"This club can be a model for other struggling Alanos," Carson said.
