Iowa City officials denied the Magic Bus’ request for a permit to move to a new location on Thursday, leaving the popular tailgating icon with limited choices.

“At this point, we have no other options,” said Magic Bus representative Jeremy Freerks, and the fate of the bus, which is run by the Iowa City Rugby Football Club, is still to be determined. “The team is very disappointed in the city’s decision today.”

After a real-estate company bought the legendary tailgating bus’ old spot, its supporters hoped to move it to a new, more residential location on the 100 block of Woodside Drive.

The city’s denial of a temporary-use permit comes as a response to area residents’ concerns about the move expressed at a forum July 20. The city found the bus does not meet the neighborhood-compatibility standard necessary for such a permit, said Doug Boothroy, the director of housing and inspection services.

The Magic Bus — which can see up to a 1,000 tailgaters on a good day — is also not located on a site suitable for the intensity of its use and does not provide for adequate public and emergency access, according to an enclosure in a City Council information packet.

The tailgating bus will decide on its next plan Aug. 1 and then release a statement, Freeks said.

Avid fans of the Magic Bus say its vibrant atmosphere and live music will be missed.

Brian Becoster, the founder of the Magic Bus, started the bus in 1991 “just for fun.” When he later decided it was too much work to continue, the Iowa City Rugby Football Club stepped in to manage it.

“A lot of my old friends still stop by,” Becoster said. “It was a melting pot for everybody.”

Bob Aringdale has experienced this “melting pot” firsthand — and he has been experiencing it since the bus began, he said.

“It’s all about the music and giving back to the community, and the guys do a great job,” Aringdale said. “This is just terrible.”

City Councilor Mike Wright said his feelings are mixed.

Resident concerns are understandable, he said, but the Magic Bus’ history is respectable — it donates its proceeds to local charity organizations.

But tailgating itself is another story.

“It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if tailgating came down a few notches in general,” Wright said. “I’ve seen way too many theoretical adults peeing in parking lots.”

The image echoes many residents’ worries.

Woodside Drive was the wrong location for a number of reasons, said Lauren Flaum, a resident of the area.

But she still hopes The Magic Bus can find a home.

“If they need to take a year off and regroup, we hope they’ll find a place that will make them better and stronger for their fans over time,” she said.

The permit denial will affect local musicians as well.

Dave Zollo, an Iowa City musician who has performed on the bus more than a dozen times, said he has formed long friendships with people involved.

The Magic Bus also worked with Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St., to book bands at the club and on the bus in one weekend — allowing them to draw bigger bands, said Scott Kading, the Yacht Club owner.

“It’s always sad when anyone messes with any of those traditions,” he said, and he has been a bus participant for years.

But traditions don’t always last forever.

“It’s disappointing,” he said. “But I suppose everything has an end.”