Another Set Back for Controversial New Bar at Hawkins Plaza

EL PASO - It's another blow to the man who's trying to open a bar in a controversial location at an East El Paso shopping center. Neighbors have said they don't want him there. And city leaders are making it clear that they don't either.

David Cooper is trying to open a new bar called the Miami Social House in the Hawkins Plaza, where the Three Legged Monkey is located.

Today city council voted to file a protest with the TABC against giving Cooper's new bar a liquor license.

"I think the idea is that once you start to cluster the bars together you see problems that the neighbors were complaining about. Problems like drunken people, noise, violence, fights and arrests. Those problems will start to increase. Let's face it, people get drunk at clubs," said city representative Steve Ortega.

Cooper says the city is unfairly singling him out.

"The irony is, is was unnecessary for the city to protest. The neighbors already were. What they're trying to do now is throw some weight behind it at their own peril. They will be sued. It's a federal action and it's going to happen," said Cooper.

Cooper has said his bar would operate differently and problems would be a thing of the past. He's installed a high tech surveillance system and says he'll beef up the number of bouncers. In the end it's up to the TABC to decide whether or not to grant Cooper a new liquor license.