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The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

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Profile Center turns to private events

A license change may mean the center will cease to host public events.

After the last teen night at the Profile Event Center ended in murder, owner Patrick Kellis stopped holding public events altogether. About 10 people gathered at a hearing Monday night to hear the details regarding a license change that would officially restrict the venue from holding public events, such as concerts and teen nights, which are infamous for attracting violence. No opposition to the change was raised at the meeting, which ended shortly after it began. âÄúWe think the change in the business model is good for our business,âÄù he said, âÄúand itâÄôs also good for the community at large.âÄù If approved, the Profile Center will hold a rental hall license and will host strictly private events, such as weddings and corporate functions. An amendment to a city ordinance that came about two weeks after the September shooting outlined guidelines for a rental hall license, including no pre-purchased tickets or ticket sales at the door and conditions for alcohol service, among other items. âÄúItâÄôs an issue regarding places operating like night clubs,âÄù Michele Olds, licensing inspector for the city of Minneapolis, said. Previously, the venue held activities that fell under a place of entertainment license, which it will not be permitted to have if the application passes. After taking a look around the Profile Center, Olds said the events were more on par with that of a rental hall license and recommended Kellis apply for it once the amendment passed. âÄúItâÄôs a win-win,âÄù Kellis said. âÄúWeâÄôre doing half of what we were before.âÄù Security at the Profile Center is maintained by off-duty police officers who patrol the area, Kellis said. There are also 48 security cameras that scan the building inside and out, he said. When the venue opened 13 years ago, its events were about 80 percent public and 20 percent private, Kellis said. ItâÄôs since become 100 percent private. Jill Newman, a junior at the University of Minnesota and intern at the Profile Center, said she wasnâÄôt surprised at the lack of controversy surrounding the license change. âÄúThey had gotten some complaints from the neighborhood over the night club feel from teen night,âÄù she said. âÄúSo, by making it a private venue, it will clear up the image that theyâÄôre portraying.âÄù To be eligible for a rental hall license, a business must pass a criminal background check, its money must be legally traceable and it must have a solid business plan, among other items. Before going into effect, the rental hall application must go through City Council and then the mayor.

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