Seattle Rejects Mariners' Effort To Stop Strip Club Near Safeco

Ruling Asserts Safeco Field Is Not A  Community Center, Rejecting Mariners' Claim

The Seattle Department of Planning & Development (SDPD) Thursday "rejected the Mariners' argument that Safeco Field is similar to a public park or community center and should be protected from having a strip club as a neighbor," according to Kathy Mulady of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. The Mariners had asked the SDPD to deny strip club Deja Vu Owner Roger Forbes a permit for a new location near the ballpark, but a "building permit for the project has been issued." The Mariners argued that "since many children, often as part of school or youth groups, attend events at Safeco Field, an adult cabaret next door was not allowed under city rules." But city planning officials in Thursday's ruling said that the ballpark is "no different from theaters or churches, which aren't community centers." The Mariners have 21 days to appeal the decision to King County (WA) Superior Court, and Mariners Dir of Public Information Rebecca Hale said, "We are going to study the decision, ask questions and get some answers. We are considering all the options that are available" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 12/5).