As of today, the proposed new downtown Raleigh amphitheater remains nothing more than that, a proposal. Negotiations are still ongoing between the city and concert-promotion giant Live Nation to build and operate the venue, which would stand right next to the convention center, and nothing is settled. But the Raleigh city council did address a technicality about the issue on Tuesday.
The council voted unanimously to obtain a release on the property lien on the parcel of land where the amphitheater is to be built. The move was necessary because the city sold tax-free bonds to acquire that property as part of the convention center complex. That limits private use of the land -- such as a private company like Live Nation running a concert facility there.
Whether or not it helps the amphitheater actually get built, we'll see. At this point, it would take a minor miracle to have a facility up and running anytime this calendar year. So maybe 2010.
Comments
10 comments...but
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 16:04 — neal7bobI was happy when I saw this story had 10 comments. Then I had to read them. Ick. What is wrong with you two?
Would a new amphitheater compete...
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 10:27 — aburtchwith our local outdoor shed aka. Walnut Creek? I'm all for more entertainment options in downtown, but would a new place create too much concert space for our city? Don't know, just asking if you think another shed would be good or bad.
Would a new amphitheater compete...
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 11:22 — dmenconi (author)I think it would be a good thing, actually. The downtown place would have a capacity of around 6,000 -- closer to Cary's Booth/Regency (7,000) than Walnut Creek (20,000). So it could be a nice compliment to what's already here, especially if Booth goes in more of a theatrical/standup-comedy direction (which seems to be happening some, based on this year's early bookings). And the setting, in downtown w/the convention center's shimmer wall as a backdrop, could be very cool.
prepostion
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 23:44 — mrcrosbySince you brought it up little BOY, where is the mis-use a a prepostion happen in my previos post. Not that it has any importance. Only a weasel would point out such a pathetically insignificant matter. I guess children today have nothing better to "think" about, if that was in fact their idea of "thinking"
Rebuttle
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 23:31 — mrcrosbySorry the previous poster tried to think he/she could think, much less for someone else. Yes, I have been down to all those pathetically boring events. that is why going downtown is such a waste of time and money unless you are easily amused. All the things that have been stuffed down our throats by the same type of people, like the one who wrote the previous post, have been an extreme waste of money. But what do you expect from a group that is obviously brain dead. I would rather be able to think for myself than use prepostions correctly. Being that that person is too ignorant to see the clearly obvious mis-management of funds, they are clearly too ignorant to be able to think for themselves. Actually I am 46 years old and maybe too mature to go downtown and hang out with the immature group that finds it a good idea to waste time and money to profit Meeker and his little band of council memebers and their band of brain dead losers who like downtown. maybe he/she is one of the ones who actually was ignorant enough to buy a condo down there at an extremely inflated price. Have fun losing huge amounts of money on your "great investment" little girl/boy
Here's the real real update
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 18:31 — Tommyboy6065Sorry for my one post being negative but the last commenter must be in bed by 7pm if he/she thinks that no one frequents DTR which they call "a pit that no one wants to go to, live in, shop in, or even recognize?" Ever been to Downtown Live? Or to the restaurants/bars? Or events at the Progress Energy Center? Or First Friday? Or English class to learn about the proper use of prepositions?
night life
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 23:49 — mrcrosbyOne more thing little guy. If you want to experience a night life, try NY city, LA, Chicago, Vancouver, Miami. Then tell me that Raleigh is so great. I bet you will keep your ignorant little uneducated childish comments to yourself. But then again, you are too easily amused, those cities would probably give you a heart attack with the things they have going on compared to the nothing raleigh has going for it. Are you in your place yet???
tommyBOY
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 23:37 — mrcrosbyYou have obviously named yourself correctly with the word "boy". I bet you still try to impress your boyfriend with your use of credit cards and wasting money in downtown. Everyone in town with a brain have made the decision that downtown is for losers and children. I guess you fit into both parts of that definition.. Have fun down there little boy and please spend some more money on nothing. You truely are brain dead, and easily amused. Please don't get confused tying your shoes.
Here's the real update
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 17:59 — mrcrosbyLive Nation charges $12 handling fee on $29 tickets, that is pure scalping, plus a $6 parking fee per ticket, plus a $1 charity fee (whatever that is). Another point is that the new theatre in downtown is going to be as big, if not a bigger, waste of money as everything else they have built down there in the last 5 years. Why keep pouring money into a pit that no one wants to go to, live in, shop in, or even recognize? Our city council is a bunch of dumb-azzes. I have attended council meetings and they are truely a joke to watch
thought they......
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 17:14 — arthurb3I thought they had purchased a used amphitheater shell from another city? It's a better location then Moores Square. Sometimes the homes people there get kinda scary!
thought they......
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 17:34 — dmenconi (author)It's a tent-like structure, actually. But there will still be construction costs involved in getting this built, around $4 million worth. Check the second half of this story for more details.