Fire Marshal, ATF Probing Christy Park Blaze

By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
April 02, 2015
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

A seemingly jinxed restaurant that was slated to be turned into a controversial strip club was gutted by fire early Thursday morning.

The Allegheny County fire marshal and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating the multiple-alarm fire that caused heavy damage to the building at 3711 Walnut St. that was most recently known as Chick's Grill.

The building was the subject of intense protests by McKeesport-area churches last year when a proposal surfaced to turn the restaurant into a so-called "gentleman's club" featuring adult dancing.

City officials denied an occupancy permit to the proposed "Saints and Sinners Gentlemen's Club," whose operator, Scott Birdseye of Irwin, then appealed the denial to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Thursday's fire would seem to make the appeal moot.

In a written release, McKeesport firefighters said they were dispatched before 4 a.m. Thursday for a report of smoke coming from the building, also known as "Tube City Cafe." Upon entering the building, fire officials said, they found heavy smoke but no visible fire.

. . .

Other city fire crews also were dispatched along with an air truck from Duquesne Annex volunteer fire department.

Within minutes, fire officials said, White Oak No. 1 and Glassport Citizens Hose Co. firefighters were called to the scene. McKeesport public works department used a backhoe to provide access to some hot spots at the fire scene, fire officials said. It took several hours to bring the blaze under control.

Minor water damage was reported to nearby structures, officials said. McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service and Salvation Army responded to the scene. Dravosburg No. 1 and Port Vue Vigilant Hose Co. No. 1 firefighters also assisted, a spokesman said.

Walnut Street was closed for several hours as crews fought the blaze. No injuries were reported.

. . .

Originally built in 2003 by Monroeville contractor Thomas Cousar as the "Tube City Brewhouse," the restaurant closed after Cousar and two employees of his Capco Construction Co. were found guilty of defrauding the U.S. Defense Department, the University of Pittsburgh and PNC Park of $1.1 million.

Among other charges, federal prosecutors said Cousar overbilled the U.S. government for work relating to reconstruction of the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Cousar and Capco personnel also were accused of diverting construction material from PNC Park and the Petersen Events Center to their projects in McKeesport.

In 2009, Cousar was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison. Two other employees --- Catherine Bradica and Daniel D. Monte --- received lesser sentences. All three also were ordered to pay restitution.

Several other operators attempted to open restaurants in the location. The most successful seemed to be Chick's Grill until it closed Feb. 3, 2013, in what owner Tim Cassidy described as a dispute with the landlord over what he called "an outrageous lease."

Allegheny County tax records indicate the building is owned by Tri-Star Holdings, a Blairsville, Pa., based sister company to Tri-Star Ford. Tri-Star Holdings purchased the building for $536,000 in 2007.

Originally published April 02, 2015.

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