Many people have the impression that once an adult business establishes itself, the city’s hands are tied. This is not true, at least in Washington State. In the city of Blaine, councilors successfully compelled an existing adult business to move away from downtown or close. Eventually the business closed. These articles tell the story:
“Council will weigh public input for and against porn zone”
http://www.thenorthernlight.com/archives/2001…
“We’ve been hearing the community say get rid of it,” said community development director Terry Galvin. “This city is right on the edge of a growth spurt. Cities have windows of opportunity and this is it. We’ve got a problem in that the adult entertainment business acts as a kind of anti-gravity force.”“Porn zone shrinking as public hearing approaches”
http://www.thenorthernlight.com/archives/2001…
“Council approves porn zone to clean up downtown”
http://www.thenorthernlight.com/archives/2001…
“The city has given notice to the Blaine Book Company that they are required to move their business from the central business district within the next 12 months.”
http://www.thenorthernlight.com/archives/2002…
“Final page turns on the Blaine Book Company”
http://www.thenorthernlight.com/archives/2003…
What amounted to years of frustration and community heartache for many local residents, was demolished in less than two hours earlier this week.