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Neighborhood questions parking and liquor plans for proposed Toro sports complex at former St. Mary's gym
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Summary
A conditional use hearing for an indoor recreation and event space at 6014 W. Madison drew questions from council and neighbors about parking, maximum occupancy and whether a liquor license will be sought; planning staff said the liquor license is a separate process and the plan commission recommended approval.
At Tuesday’s meeting the council heard a conditional use permit application to convert the former St. Mary’s gym at 6014 West Madison Street into an indoor recreation and event space operated by Toro Sports Complex.
Planning staff described a split-level building with an upper gym and a lower assembly hall, a full kitchen, 25 on-site parking stalls and an existing nearby duplex and additional lots. The plan commission recommended approval and said neighbors within 200 feet were notified; staff reported one concern on parking from a nearby business.
“Mister Sherr” said typical events would range from about 100 to 120 people, though larger events are possible and the applicant is discussing off-site parking arrangements with a Wells Fargo lot nearby. The applicant and staff confirmed hours for the event space of 10 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and later hours on Saturdays. Staff noted the applicant intends to apply for a liquor license in a separate process and that the published public-hearing title mistakenly referenced a restaurant use.
Alderman Weigel asked about maximum legal capacity; staff said the building’s historical gym capacity was substantially higher but that the applicant agreed to reduce the posted capacity for the conditional-use approval. The alderman also asked whether promoters could book ticketed concerts; staff said large third-party promoted concerts were not indicated in the application and that staff and the applicant could discuss those details further in committee.
Neighbors at the podium expressed parking concerns. Michelle (who said she lives at 1308 S. 61st) said she supports new business but asked where up to 300 cars for events would park if off-site agreements are not secured. Former owner Raymond Arredondo said he used the property for events from 2013 to 2025 without parking complaints and cited past capacities for the gym and downstairs assembly.
Outcome: The public hearing was closed after questions and comments. Planning staff and the applicant offered to discuss parking and event operations with neighbors at recess or in follow-up meetings; the council did not render a final zoning vote at the hearing stage but moved the matter into the regular committee process.
