The owner of a proposed strip club on West Carson Street told about 50 residents last night that he will move forward with his plan, even though residents are circulating petitions and said they would "fight it to the end."

"This is disgusting," Sheraden resident Marciana Rossi told Patrick Risha at a community meeting last night at Emanuel United Methodist Church in the West End. "There's nothing upscale about what you're trying to do to our community."

Mr. Risha, through his company, Marquise Investments, has applied for a conditional use permit to operate what he described as an upscale "adult entertainment center" at 1635 W. Carson St., near Station Square.

Ms. Rossi joined other residents at Emanuel United Methodist Church in the West End, where they told Mr. Risha they're worried the strip club would spawn prostitution, violence and other social ills.

Mr. Risha said he understood their concerns, and added that he has "first-class plans for the property" and would not tolerate crime. He also pledged to move ahead with his application.

Mr. Risha is the son of Pat Risha, superintendent of the West Mifflin Area School District.

The city's planning commission will hold a public hearing on the plan Nov. 4. To get the go-ahead, Marquise needs the commission's recommendation and approval by City Council.

"Whatever you have going on in that club is going to impact everybody who is in this room," said Debbie Whitfield of Sheraden. "Once your clean establishment gets dirty, it's going to be the responsibility of everyone in this room to clean it up."