ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610030027
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C--4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press SPRINGFIELD
Fairfax County politicians want to close a new adult video and magazine store because they say it threatens years of effort to spruce up an aging commercial district.
MVC Latenight Entertainment opened two weeks ago in a former music store in a busy strip of restaurants, offices and small stores.
``It is a disgrace,'' said Elaine McConnell, a Republican member of the county Board of Supervisors from Springfield.
The board has asked the commonwealth's attorney and police to determine if the store violates state pornography laws. They also have asked the county attorney and zoning administrator to see whether the store complies with zoning regulations.
The county has spent about $500,000 in the last decade trying to revive the shopping area around the video store.
``This place is corrupting the community,'' said David Hunt, an accountant with an office nearby. ``It brings in what I call `question marks': a bad, degrading class of people.''
The store, which has a neon-lit facade designed to look like the entrance to a movie theater, has blacked-out windows and a sign forbidding entry to anyone younger than 18.
``We are trying to be a responsible part of the community,'' said John Kenney, the store's general manager. ``We don't understand what is going on.''
The store is one of six in a fast-growing chain, which has two stores in Manassas and one each in Woodbridge, Falls Church and Dumfries.
The Springfield branch features about 12,000 videotapes, 500 adult magazine titles, 600 CD-roms and dozens of other adult products on two floors.
``We have pumped lots of money into revitalizing Springfield, and here comes a gross negative situated on a key parcel of land,'' said Dana Kauffman, who represents a neighboring district on the Board of Supervisors.
``It is big and it is ugly,'' Kauffman said. If he can't shut down MVC, he wants at least to prevent other stores like it from opening in the area, Kauffman said.
Fairfax police Capt. Gary Ball said he has received several calls from people concerned about the store, but no one has filed a complaint that any particular magazine or video is pornographic.
Police have visited the store on several occasions, sometimes undercover, and so far have found no reason to take any action, Ball said. Other video stores in Fairfax have offered similar materials for years.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB