LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) – The largest bar in downtown Lafayette can no longer be a bar.

The city-parish Planning, Zoning and Development Department put The Plaza Downtown on notice this week that it must immediately cease operations.

The manager has no plans on walking away, though he is uncertain what the next step will be.

At issue is a 2003 ban on bars in downtown Lafayette.

It exempted buildings used as bars at the time but stipulated any building vacant for more than one year would lose the exemption.

The Plaza Downtown opened in June in the two-story building once occupied by Karma Nightclub & Lounge, but city-parish officials now say the new club never should have been granted a liquor permit or a certificate of occupancy.Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.