Capital Video has had a porn shop at 486 Bridge Street in Springfield since 1990. Many citizens and local businesses were unhappy about it from the start. To protest the shop, residents Leslie Pasquini and her husband Ronald “helped garner 600 signatures sent to [District Attorney William M.] Bennett.” (Union-News, 1/24/92, p. 20)
City Councilor William J. Boyle supported the citizens’ concerns, saying “‘I don’t think that these porno shops are the kind of business that are going to bring development or progress in the improvement of the downtown…’ Boyle said the Redevelopment Authority and the private business group, Springfield Central, have worked to limit bars with nude dancers to a small downtown area, on Dwight and Taylor streets. ‘I don’t think any of us in City Hall want to see an expansion of the so-called combat zone.'” (Union-News, 11/17/90, p. 11)
In 2002, Capital Video asked the Springfield Planning Department to allow them to expand the retail space in their Springfield shop from 2,080 to 2,624 square feet, and to increase the number of porn viewing booths from 16 to 24. Newspaper reports said:
“State Rep. Cheryl A. Rivera, D-Springfield, said yesterday that she…is calling councilors to express her opposition. She said she has received calls from constituents of Mattoon and Salem streets opposing the expansion. Rivera opposes the permit request, saying that it is an inappropriate use for a residential area. Some of the store’s clients, she said, use the booths as a place to masturbate while watching adult movies and videotapes.On hearing the concerns of the people about the expansion, the Union-News reports that
The permit is needed because the business is a non-conforming use. The existing business is allowed because it was operating before zoning regulations were changed to require a special permit for such use… The Planning Department has recommended that the special permit be turned down “due to the dense residential population.” A report prepared for the council says there are 500 residents within 500 feet of the business. (Union-News, 2/22/02, p. B03)
The City Council last night rejected a special permit for a company that sought to expand an adult video store at the Apremont Triangle, with councilors agreeing with many downtown residents that it would be a detriment to that area. The council voted 9-0 to “postpone action indefinitely” on the permit for the Video Expo store at 486 Bridge St…
Councilors and residents said…[e]xpansion of an adult video store, along with additional private booths for customers to view movies, would…take away from efforts to bring more professional people to the downtown and further investment, they said. “This would not be a step forward–it would be a step back…”
Carol A. Costa, president of the Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association, said the business is “not in keeping with a lovely, historic Armoury Quadrangle neighborhood…” Residents, including some from Mattoon Street and Chestnut Street apartments, were among the opponents, saying it would not contribute to a vibrant downtown. Leon Charkoudian, representing the apartment complex at 122 Chestnut St., said the city shut down two troublesome bars in Apremont Triangle and urged the council to continue its pledge by denying the expansion.” (Union-News, 2/26/02, p. A01)