The ‘top opinion’ in today’s Times Dispatch contained this:
The alternative of confining the amphitheater to space below the canal has considerable appeal, and we endorse it. It is our choice.
Todd Woodson, a longtime officer of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, made this comment in response:
Thoughtful and equitable. If Venture Richmond made the concessions of restricting the amphitheater to BELOW the canal with use of the facility to only the Folk Festival and River Rocks, not disturbing the canal’s infrastructure and leaving the upper area as a considerate buffer to the war memorial and the residents of Oregon Hill, I believe progress could be made. The attitude that its “your plan or this here Folk Festival gets it!” has caused extensive loss of trust in VR amongst city community and fosters fears that the plan as you envision it establishes the facility as a cash cow- renting to all comers- not good. It’s the upper part that is not zoned for an amphitheater anyway. It’s in EVERYBODY’S best interest to be good neighbors and to do what’s right. The Tredegar wall gets rebuilt, the discussion can begin in earnest on restoring this wonderful canal. VR saves money by not butchering the canal infrastructure. There are some smart people in the city that can help make the grand canal renovation happen. Venture Richmond?
Has the area at 5th St. and Tredegar St. ever been considered as an alternative for an amphitheater? Currently it is being used as a temporary, excess parking area immediately across the street from MWV. In my opinion, this space would be much better for an amphitheater as it wouldn’t impede on the canal too much, if any. Further, it would be farther away from Oregon Hill so noise concerns would be muted (a pun, get it?). I am not sure how this particular tract of land is zoned, or who owns or who has rights to it. In my vision, the stage area could be close to the corner of 5th and Tredegar, and the audience area would face the river towards that intersection. What a great view this elevated area offers while watching the James River, other events on Brown’s Island and coal trains rolls by. (That’s right, Scott Burger–Coal! I’ll save discussion on that for the BP Protest at Belvidere and Grace section.)
The currently proposed area looks decent enough but it looks too cramped. As a resident of The Overlook, I am not sure why fellow neighbors are concerned about noise as I doubt this area will ever become a prime destination for loud concerts. Doesn’t seem like the place where hipsters would want to have late night Burning Man rave parties or have musical groups that’ll encourage mosh pits.
Additionally, separating The Overlook from the currently proposed amphitheater is a busy, six lane highway where cars and trucks (with gasoline(!) and diesel(!) engines) drive by at 50+ mph 24/7. I hardly consider these sounds soothing, but most likely these vehicles would drown out any music from the proposed amphitheater area. And there will be no time in the immediate future where the majority of vehicles will be both quiet and electric.
In the end, I am just a dude trying to promote the outdoor activities on a prime piece of property while furthering the economic and entertainment goals of Richmond.
Thanks Denny, exactly what I have been saying all along.
You guys are peas in a pod. You should get married.
Meanwhile, everyone seems to be perplexed that Jack Berry seems unwilling to negotiate. Why is Venture Richmond being so unreasonable? Makes me wonder what New Market’s longer term plans are for the area that they are forcing the Folk Festival to vacate from.
Scott, only if you’ll serve as the best man.
Can I be the ring bearer?