Mariners appeal strip-club ruling

The Seattle Mariners have appealed a judge's ruling that cleared the way for a strip club to open near Safeco Field.

The Déjà Vu club, sought by longtime Seattle adult-entertainment businessman Roger Forbes, would operate in a building at 1530 First Ave. S., about 400 feet south of the main entrance to the baseball stadium in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood.

The Mariners filed notice of appeal July 27. The team has argued that allowing a strip club would violate a city ordinance that prohibits adult businesses within 800 feet of community centers, public parks or open spaces, schools and child-care facilities.

But in June, King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick ruled that the city had properly granted a business permit to the club, consistent with land-use rules that define a park and open space.

The strip club's attorney, Peter Buck, of Seattle, said today that Déjà Vu will hold off with remodeling of the site if an appeal were filed.

"Déjà Vu certainly can be patient," Buck said.

The appeal has been joined by the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District, a public entity that owns Safeco Field and leases it to the Mariners. It also was part of the lawsuit heard by Erlick.

No briefs have been filed in support of the appeal, according to Mariners spokeswoman Rebecca Hale.

Steve Miletich: 206-464-3302 or smiletich@seattletimes.com