UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Problem-plagued bar Pistol Pete's will be closed down for one year by authorities, Public Safety Commissioner Daniel LaBella said on Friday.

After reviewing the Nuisance Abatement hearing regarding Pistol Pete's, located at 313-315 Nichols Street in Utica, LaBella said it was determined that Pistol Pete's would be closed for a period of one year. That one year-closure is as of May 12, 2010.

LaBella said that the closure is necessary for both the safety of residents as well as police personnel. It was recommended that the business be prohibited and banned from operating for one year any bar, tavern, saloon, night club, cabaret, cafe, restaurant, banquet hall, after-hours club, meeting room, social club, whether public or private, or any other place of of public assembly or accommodation at the premises.

New Year's Day Party

Fire broke out at the former bar and apartment building at 315 Nichols Street around 11:30 p.m. on New Year's Day 2010, according to the Utica Fire Department. First responders reported heavy smoke visible from the two and a half story wood-frame structure. Firefighters began fighting the fire and extinguished the bulk of the flames within minutes. Responders then opened up the walls and ceilings to extinguish the remainder of the fire. The blaze was deemed under control around 12:30 Saturday morning, January 2, 2010.

Investigators remained on the scene until about 3 a.m. on January 2. According to Chief Fire Marshall Raymond Beck, the fire began on the second floor landing of a stairwell. The fire spread up the walls and into the attic.

Illegal New Year's Eve party

The owners of the former bar, Stephen Patterson and Willie Walker, were arrested for a second time in three months at the bar in the early morning hours of New Year's Day. Police discovered the two were still seemingly trying to host parties at the bar after being told they could not.

Around 10 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009, Stephen Patterson, 46, was arrested at the bar for two outstanding arrest warrants for unlawful noise prohibited, according to Utica Police. Patterson bailed himself out and returned to the bar, according to authorities.

Then about six hours later, UPD responded back to the former Pistol Pete's. They say they found about 50-75 people inside of the bar with a lot of alcohol. Patterson was arrested again along with Willie Walker.

The two men were charged with operating a cabaret without a required license and permitting consumption of alcohol on premise without a license.

On December 16, State Supreme Court Justice Hester prohibited anyone from operating the former Pistol Pete's establishment as a bar, restaurant or banquet facility. The judge said the building could only be occupied as a residence.

In objection to the ruling, Stephen Patterson wrote a letter to Utica City Officials requesting an extension in order to host a Christmas and New Year's Eve party. That request was denied and police say that city officials advised Patterson not to violate the court's injunction.

Pistol Pete's bar a "hot spot" in Utica, served minors in October

The Utica Police Department considered Pistol Pete's bar a "hot spot" in the city. Officers have responded to almost 200 calls for service in the area since the beginning of 2009.

In October of 2009, both Patterson and Walker were arrested after police discovered an underage party with 100 youths at the business. Police found alcohol and marijuana at the premises during the October party.

Police responded in October, again, due to a noise complaint. When officers responded to that incident, Patterson interfered and tried to stop them from helping one of the patrons. At least 100 kids were reportedly in attendance.

Patterson was charged with obstructing governmental administration, unlawfully dealing with a child, endangering the welfare of a child, consumption on premise without license, criminal nuisance, harassment, cabaret and general noise prohibited.

Walker is charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, consumption on premise without license, criminal nuisance, cabaret and general noise prohibited.

Patterson called NEWSChannel 2 in October and responded to the arrest by saying:

"I got to the building to close it down at 12:30. I was arrested at 12:40. All I did was go in and cut the lights. I will be vindicated of all of these charges. I never sold alcohol to a minor."

Willie Walker a sex-offender, claims not to own business

Walker is a level-two sex offender convicted in 2001 for the rape of a 14 year old girl.

He insists he is not an employee and has no formal association with the business.

According to Walker in October, he was just helping out at the business.

"Mr. Paterson is a good friend of mine," Walker said. "Yes, I do come down and help open the door, clean up, everything else. But it is not my business, I do not own this business. I haven't had a business in the City of Utica in years."

Patterson's previous battle with the City of Utica

It was not the first time Stephen Patterson has battled the City of Utica. He was fired from his position as the city's commission of the Department of Public Works in the late 1990s. He had worked under both the Hanna and Julian administrations.

A year after his firing, Patterson filed a lawsuit against the city claiming the administrations violated his constitutional due process rights. Leon Koziol, Patterson's attorney, claimed that his client lost up to $3 million in wages, reputation and suffered emotionally, physically and financially because of his termination.

Patterson was first awarded $330,000 in June 2004. That was eventually reversed because he could not prove that he suffered loss of reputation under former Mayor Hanna.

The second court of appeals found that while Hanna was not liable for discrimination against Patterson, the Mayor Julian administration was. On August 20, 2004, Patterson was awarded $225,000 in the City of Utica's second largest civil rights judgment.