THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 8, 1995 TAG: 9503080001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
The amphitheater proposed for Virginia Beach is likely to produce more noise before it's built than after. That's the message from a public presentation on the facility last week. It may be the message of today's public hearing before the Planning Commission (noon, City Council chambers).
The natural buffers of the amphitheater's Lake Ridge site plus careful design of the facility and access roads should reassure the relatively few residents nearby: According to the studies, they will seldom be bothered by the sound of music, the presence of even a sell-out crowd or the flow of traf-fic. For sure, they will experience less congestion than they would have with the 1,200 acres of houses, businesses and streets originally envisioned for Lake Ridge.
At the same time, the site will provide the best aesthetics, acoustics and traffic control of all sites considered earlier for the amphitheater and rejected because of proximity to neighborhoods, objections from Oceana or cost.
The amphitheater itself will provide an amenity for residents citywide and another draw for tourists before, during and after the usual tourist season. Cellar Door, which will invest $6 million of its own, promises some 40 events between April and October. This facility, which wouldn't happen without this public-private partnership, will produce enough direct revenue to pay off the city's investment of some $8 million within seven years, put at least $1 million a year into city coffers and add some $8.5 million in indirect spending for supplies, food and lodging. It could produce much more: In 1993, the Walnut Creek Amphitheater, after which the Beach's is patterned, meant $22 million in economic impact to Raleigh.
Among others, Councilman William W. Harrison Jr., who is leading negotiations for the city, and Bill Reid of Cellar Door have been making the case for the amphitheater before civic leagues and other groups in that area of the city and citywide. The city also did its best to provide nearby residents a fact sheet and map concerning the amphitheater and announcing public hear-ings.
Yet some residents remain convinced that the city has moved too quickly and arrogantly to put a 20,000-seat facility in their back yard. The amphitheater has been on a fast track lately. But it's been on City Council's to-do list for a couple of years. Would more years reduce the NIMBY factor - the Not In My Back Yard reaction? Probably not.
Only more, and more accurate, communication about the amphitheater's design and economic impact can clarify the trade-offs. City officials have an excellent case to make, the obligation to make it and the duty to hear out citizens' criticisms and questions. In the several forums available between now and council's vote March 28, citizens have an obligation to hear out the answers. by CNB