Forget Amsterdam. The city of Seattle is working on creating a "Red Light District" south of Safeco Field. It'd be Mecca for silicone enthusiasts.
For years, the city enforced a policy that amounted to just short of a ban on new clubs. This policy was ruled unconstitutional by federal courts. As a result, Seattle's commercially zoned areas became fair game to strip clubs. Late last year Mayor Greg Nickels proposed the city establish a club district in the largely industrial area in South Seattle.
This, of course, angered South Seattle residents who are already working toward a "Southside Revival." They logically fear that the proposed "Red Light District" would turn the area into a slum.
City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck hears these South Seattle residents and has stalled a vote for the proposed 310-acre strip club district. Steinbrueck would like to explore an alternative that would allow such clubs city-wide, with some restrictions, according to the Seattle P-I.
The city of Seattle should allow adult entertainment venues to be dispersed throughout the city, rather than try to create a concentrated location for these businesses. Creating this "Red Light District" would be detrimental to surrounding South Seattle neighborhoods, including Beacon Hill, South Park and Georgetown. All areas of the city should be eligible to shoulder the "burden" of hosting strip clubs. If anything, North Seattle strip club patrons would be happy to avoid a commute.