THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030090
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUE VANHECKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
BILL DOUTHAT was about a decade ahead of his time.
In 1985, the promoter who brought the Rolling Stones to Hampton Coliseum for a historic two-night stand, envisioned building a 20,000-seat amphitheater that would attract top-name entertainment, generate loads of tax revenue and help establish a regional identity.
His ambitious proposal was turned down by the cities of Norfolk and Newport News, as well as York County. After much wrangling, during which time Douthat resigned from his successful firm Whisper Concerts to focus solely on the project, the venue finally found a home in the Bowers Hill area of Chesapeake.
But slow-moving construction finally sank the controversial facility.
``We just didn't move on it after the approval,'' Douthat said last week. A one-year use permit expired in late 1987 before work on the amphitheater ever began.
Opposition was always formidable, with area officials and residents raising objections to potential noise, traffic, alcohol consumption and drug use. It was fear of the unknown, Douthat said.
``Amphitheaters didn't have the history as they do now of being a good thing. Everybody thought it would be a bad thing. (Now) it's a trend throughout the country, like the arenas were 20 or 30 years ago.
``It was a lot better project 10 years ago because there wasn't that many of them,'' he said. ``You didn't have one in every city like you do today. Now, each one of these facilities competes against the others and (entertainment) groups are demanding a lot more money. The groups are making the money, not the amphitheater.''
Douthat doesn't think the $17.5 million investment in the Virginia Beach Amphitheater is recoupable, calling it ``way over budget for an outdoor venue (open) for six months (a year) to do 40 shows. There aren't that many shows that are going to do 10,000 people.''
He describes his amphitheater struggle as a ``good experience,'' but one that left him frustrated and drained. He quit the market ``because I didn't want to do this anymore.''
But in 1991, the Newport News native returned, revived Whisper and is now booking primarily national country and contemporary Christian acts for military facilities such as the Little Creek Amphibious Base and Fort Eustis, as well as local festivals.
``I'm taking my experience and my history and developing projects for other people,'' Douthat said, ``giving them direction and securing entertainment for them on a lesser scale than an amphitheater.
``I don't have the risk. I don't have the stress. I don't have to do 40 shows a year and generate (many millions) of dollars. It's the safe side of entertainment.''
And Douthat is hopeful that the Virginia Beach Amphitheater will open the door for other proposed local attractions such as racetracks and a pro sports arena.
``There are a lot of things that never go through here that should have,'' he said, ``because people are concerned about change or new projects - and especially big projects - that have big impacts on the market.
``(The amphitheater) is a great project. I think this community needed it. It's just too bad it didn't get here more quickly to (spark) more development in the market. But today's better than never.'' ILLUSTRATION: COLOR FILE PHOTO
Bill Douthat's idea for an amphitheater met with opposition. Now
Virginia Beach is building one.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY CONCERTS by CNB