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Government & Education

"PROJECT X" VENUE IN MOUNT DORA closed DUE TO CODE VIOLATIONS

7/25/2017

 
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The large “Project X” party in Mount Dora on July 17 drew crowds that exceeded the capacity of Mieluz Grand Hall, according to the Mount Dora Police Department.  

A fire inspection previously scheduled for today, resulted in code violations for unpermitted work, according to Mount Dora Police Chief, John O'Grady.  As a result, the venue is closed until it becomes compliant with code.  

The 35,000 square-foot venue located at 2728 Old U.S. 441 has a capacity of 522 people and is licensed to host large events.  After heavy social media promotion as “one of the biggest parties in Central Florida,” the event attracted an estimated 1,100 partygoers.  Charter bus rides from Orlando were offered on Facebook charging an extra $20 for partygoers without an I.D.

O'Grady stated preparations were made in advance of the event after they received information that Orange County “Project X” events drew large crowds and had a history of criminal activity. Assistance was sought by Lake County Sheriff’s Office in anticipation of potential issues.

MDPD sought counsel from an LCSO expert on obtaining an injunction against an event with a history of violence.  Because the venue was legally licensed to hold large events and had no  history of violence in Lake County,  MDPD was reportedly advised there were no grounds for an injunction.  As a result, MDPD & LCSO implemented an operational plan with approximately 10 law enforcement officers in attendance when the party began.   

The venue may have oversold tickets, police were later informed, resulting in approximately 500-700 partygoers who claimed to have tickets being turned away.  The over-attendance caused the venue’s parking and the large shopping center parking lot across the street to be filled with vehicles.  

According to O'Grady, as the outside crowd’s frustration grew, officers called for additional assistance from LCSO and surrounding agencies, resulting in a total of approximately 25 officers.  Law enforcement officers were able to calm the crowd and move them toward their vehicles.   A previously planned traffic pattern was put into place, so when vehicles began exiting both lots at 1:45 a.m., it was done orderly.

Videos posted to social media showed a chaotic scene outside Mieluz Grand Hall when a group of females got into a fight.  As a result, two people were tased and arrested.  There were no reports of incidents inside the event.

During that fight incident, at approximately 2:30 a.m., LCSO received 911 calls regarding two vehicles firing guns in a neighborhood adjacent to one of the parking lots.  Upon deputies’ arrival on the scene at Sheridan Road near Greenway,  two black males were located, both having sustained gunshot wounds.  One was a 21-year old Orlando man found in a car, deceased. A second victim was located nearby and transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he underwent surgery.

If the venue reopens, MDPD will provide them with a minimum number of days to notify the department of  large events to enable better preparation and to research incidents of violence.  

The department is also making every effort to ensure that Project X events don't occur in the city.   Body and dash camera videos will be reviewed for any violations of ordinances, state statutes or fire codes by the venue.


For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app.  Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here. ​​​​​​​

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Carolyn Cox
7/25/2017 07:44:14 pm

Thank you, thank you for the information and the desire to do something to prevent this kind of disturbance and violence in our area. I live nearby in Sylvan Shores.

The 1
7/25/2017 08:39:56 pm

Whose to say the guy that got killed was at that club, he could have been coming from fatcats....who called about shots fired?? Why was the the other passenger outside the car ( running, maybe?)...from who?...inquiring minds want to know..

Maria Perez
7/25/2017 10:48:21 pm

This was a very bad place to have parties. We had one there not too long ago. It was horrible!!! The owners got drunk and carried Guns. They were serving Beer to underage guys. The place was a bomb waiting to go off. In our party the owners took their Guns out and started pointing it around and saying "shoot all the mother F....s I hope the law goes in further and investigates and gets backround checks on owners too. They totally acted like criminals!!!!!

Rebecca
7/26/2017 12:36:43 am

Thank you for this follow up information. I sincerely hope that events such as this one are banned in the future within the city limits. I also hope that further investigation goes into the venue overselling tickets to the tune of 500 tickets which is a scam in itself and created an unsafe and volatile situation with the overflow. If Maria's statements above are correct, it sounds like they have no place holding public events in the first place. All my respect to MDPD and LCSO since it seems like they went to every length to ensure safety in the chaotic situation in which they were placed. And it is all well and good to state that the city was poorly informed by the venue owner, but the true test will be whether this type of situation is blocked, banned, and avoided in the future.


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