The Seattle Police Department and City Attorney's office are attempting to block the owner of the Fusion Ultra Lounge—located in the University District—from selling booze at his new joint near the Seattle Center.

In February, the Seattle Police Department and City Attorney's office sent a letter to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), objecting to a liquor application filed by Troy Selland, for his new pizza place, the Vela Pizzeria and Lounge, on 1st and Clay.

According to the city's objection letter, the city believes Selland is "unfit to possess..a liquor license"—despite the fact that he co-owns the Fusion Lounge—because, the city says, Selland has too many "criminal history points."

The city uses an arcane scoring system for granting liquor licenses. Licensees are rated on the number of crimes they've committed—certain crimes are worth a certain number of points—and a licensee is not allowed have more than eight points.

Selland was cited for a DUI in Chelan County in 2006 and, until two weeks ago, had a fourth degree assault case pending, which has been dropped. However, the city filed its objection well before Selland's assault case was settled. Although Selland had not been convicted for the assault—and was therefore not over the city's "point limit"—the city still went ahead with its objection to Selland's application.

While the city's objection to Selland's application wouldn't necessarily keep him from opening the business, being unable to serve liquor would certainly limit Vela's earning potential, handicapping a new business in an already tough economy.

Selland says he's offered to enter into a Good Neighbor Agreement with the city. which would set a number of conditions on how Vela operates. However, Selland says he'd prefer to call it a "city partnership agreement" because "a [Good Neighbor Agreement] implies you're nota good neighbor."