Perrysburg residents demanded quick action of city officials last night to oust what they fear may be a prostitution operation disguised as a newly opened massage parlor.

“I am concerned about what kind of people this is bringing into Perrysburg,” Mary Catherine Caron told Perrysburg City Council. “I am worried about the kids. We already have somebody running around exposing himself.”

The New Health Spa, at 755 West South Boundary, open until 2 a.m. seven days a week, is near Mr. Freeze, an ice cream stand, a playground, and an assortment of businesses.

Some of the 30-plus residents at the meeting were surprised the business was able to open even though the city in January enacted tougher regulations to police sexually oriented businesses. The city has not had adult entertainment establishments.

Cathy Werner, another resident, chided council about its plans for a new police station at its current site, saying the city may want to consider a location near the health spa. “Wouldn't it be better to [build a police station] out in that area if what we are going to do is turn that area into a red light district?” Ms. Werner asked.

Susan Ruffing, a bookkeeper who works nearby, said she was barred from entering the business one day last week, going there “hoping it was anything other than what I thought.” An elderly woman who answered the door had no pamphlets and refused to give her a tour.

City officials said they are carefully studying the matter, saying the business applied for an occupancy permit as a health spa while the mayor and law director were out of the country on vacations.

“It is safe for me to say I am absolutely on your side,” Mayor Jody Holbrook told the group. “We have a plan and we are moving. I am somewhat restricted in what I can say.”

Several officials said the city's decision to enact tighter zoning rules to regulate adult entertainment businesses was a good move, but enforcing such laws takes time.

“If [the health spa] can be proven to be a sexually oriented business, it can't be operated in that zoning district, can it?” Councilman Tim McCarthy asked Pete Gwyn, city law director.

“That is right,” Mr. Gwyn responded.

Dr. Ted Bowlus, a podiatrist who owns the office building in which the spa is located, said when reached at home later that it was represented to him when business operators signed a lease recently that they were to operate a legitimate massage therapy firm similar to several others now in Perrysburg. “I have no proof of anything illegal going on,” he said. “I have to be careful about what I say because I do know an investigation is going on.” He refused to elaborate.

“I am on the side of the person who is concerned about this,” Dr. Bowlus said.

First Published March 20, 2002, 8:39 a.m.