BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — Mayor Randall Woodfin has voiced strong opposition to the opening of a new downtown lounge, citing concerns over violence in the area. In a Facebook post, Woodfin criticized the upscale First Avenue lounge, PRVLGE following a shooting on the same block the previous night.
“Privelege should not open,” Woodfin said.
“Even before they open, I have no confidence that other patrons of existing businesses, future patrons of their business, and most importantly the residents in that block and vicinity will be safe,” Woodfin continued.
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A representative from PRVLGE, who declined to be identified on camera, questioned the mayor’s stance, stating, “We aren’t even open yet.” The representative added that their only involvement in the recent incident was assisting the shooting victim until help arrived.
Concerns about the lounge were previously raised at a city council meeting in December. Miyoka Johnson, vice president of the Central City Neighborhood, said, “”It was denied on our level…With that being said many of the residents due to the same reason and the prior owner of Casanova were also involved in this lounge that was gonna be opened.”
Despite these concerns, Officer Knight of the Birmingham Police Department stated in October 2024, “There are no incidents that would make us deny him the application at 2312 First Avenue North, no incidents. What we look for is crimes against people like assaults, robberies, homicides, things like that..not pinpointed to that exact address.”
The area is also near the former Cru Lounge, which closed in June 2024 after safety concerns. Local resident Stan Brown commented, “I just feel like it’s a lot more traffic over here… I’m just really surprised cause this is a quiet area.”
The man injured in the recent shooting was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Police are reviewing surveillance footage, but no arrests have been made.
Mayor Woodfin’s office has not yet responded to requests for further comment.
PRVLGE provided ABC 33/40 the following statement following Woodfin’s claims:
We at PRVLGE, Inc. are deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred on Thursday evening and extend our heartfelt wishes for the victim’s full an speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones during this difficult time.
To clarify, PRVLGE has not yet opened for business. On the night of the incident, our only involvement was offering assistance to a gunshot victim who was brought into our space for aid. We firmly believe that help someone in need is a fundamental responsibility, and we stand by our decision to do the right thing in that moment.
We recognize and respect Mayor Randall Woodfin’s commitment to addressing gun violence in Birmingham. However, holding a closed business accountable for an incident that occurred a block away on a public street—over which we had no control—is both unfair and unwarranted. The unfortunate incident ha no connection to PRVLGE, and our actions that evening were solely motivated by compassion and a sense of duty to assist someone in distress.
It is imperative that we focus on real solutions to Birmingham’s ongoing crime challenges rather than placing blame on a business that simply rendered aid. As a community, we must come together to address the root causes of violence and work toward meaningful change to ensure a safer city for all.
The recent shooting in Birmingham underscores a pressing issue: the *Birmingham Police Department is understaffed*, leaving the community vulnerable to brazen criminal acts. The fact that a shooting occurred during a busy time of day is alarming and highlights both the lack of concern from those committing these violent acts and the *City of Birmingham’s failure to maintain a sufficient number of sworn police officers to protect citizens*. This is not a problem of location—it is a city-wide issue. The fear of violence extends beyond downtown, affecting neighborhood throughout Birmingham. Criminals are emboldened because they do not fear law enforcement, and it is critical that the city prioritizes increasing the number of sworn officers and rebuilding public trust.
Additionally, we are disheartened by the false narratives that have been circulated regarding our business. We will not allow misleading information to tarnish the reputation of PRVLGE or the integrity of our team. The fact remain clear—PRVLGE was not involved in the incident, and our only action was assisting an individual in need. We urge city officials, the media, the public to ensure that accountability is placed where it rightfully belongs and that businesses like ours, which seek to bring positive contributions to the community, are not unfairly targeted.
As a future member of Birmingham’s vibrant business community, PRVLGE is committed to fostering a safe and positive environment. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with city officials, law enforcement, and community leaders to ensure responsible operations and contribute to the growth and safety of downtown Birmingham. Our mission is to create a welcoming space that brings people together while being part of the broader effort to make our city stronger and safer
The current police force and its level of involvement is not sufficient to contain the challenges the city is facing.
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