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  • From: "Caleb Southern" <southernc AT mindspring.com>
  • To: "'RTP-area local music and culture'" <ch-scene AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Durham City Council DENIES public input on Clear Channel / Event Center (Herald-Sun, News & Observer)
  • Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 05:01:21 -0400

City budget speakers not afraid of tax hike
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-488677.html

By BEN EVANS : The Herald-Sun
bevans AT heraldsun.com
Jun 8, 2004 : 12:12 am ET

[edited out other issues]

Performing arts theater

The City Council voted 6-1 at Monday's meeting to approve a controversial
four-month extension for a development group that's trying to arrange
public-private financing for a proposed performing arts theater downtown.

The council infuriated a crowd of more than 50 people who sat through the
meeting from 7 until after 11 p.m. only to be told that their comments
wouldn't be heard. Eventually, Mayor Bill Bell agreed to take remarks from a
handful of opponents, but only after the council already had voted on the
four-month extension.

Those who were allowed to speak said they have concerns about the
involvement of media conglomerate Clear Channel Entertainment and about the
financial drain the project might have on other arts projects and on city
finances. But after being denied comment Monday, some also emphasized their
disappointment with what they said have been closed discussions of the
proposal.

"We are here because we are committed citizens who want our voices heard,"
Michael Bacon said. "I think it is unfair to have us sit through this
meeting, and then tell us that we have to come back some other time."

"Take it out on me later," Bell said as angry opponents shouted their
protests.

Councilman John Best Jr., who opposes the theater idea, voted against the
four-month extension.

The council

Mayor Bill Bell

bbell AT ci.durham.nc.us

Home: 544-5597


Mayor Pro Tem Cora Cole-McFadden

ccole-mcfadden AT ci.durham.nc.us

Home: 477-2484


John Best Jr.

jpbestjr AT aol.com

Home: 382-0025


Eugene Brown

ebrown AT ci.durham.nc.us

Home: 688-5954


Diane Catotti

dcatotti AT ci.durham.nc.us

Home: 490-0984


Howard Clement

hclement AT ci.durham.nc.us

Home: 688-7628


Thomas Stith

tstith AT ci.durham.nc.us

Home: 544-4036


***

Clear Channel still in director's chair for theater
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1314263p-7437009c.html

By MARGIE FISHMAN, Staff Writer

DURHAM -- The city will continue negotiating with Clear Channel
Entertainment to manage a planned $42 million, 4,000-seat theater downtown.
The City Council voted 6-1 late Monday before hearing public comment.
Council member John Best Jr. dissented.

Dozens of people opposed to Clear Channel's involvement waited for more than
four hours to speak and criticized the council for not letting them
participate.

"Let the record reflect that no one who was against this extension was
allowed to speak," shouted James Hepler, a Durham musician.

The council did hear from people after the vote.

In recent weeks, a group of vocal opponents has organized to protest Clear
Channel's involvement in the project, criticizing the media giant for
stifling free speech and shutting out independent promoters, while refusing
to pay union wages.

The nation's largest broadcaster and concert promoter, Clear Channel owns
five local radio stations, manages Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek and
promotes shows at the BTI Center for the Performing Arts.

Robert Errato, a Connecticut theater developer, had proposed building a
theater with 1,000 more seats for $10 million less, but city economic
development officials said they wanted more time to negotiate with Clear
Channel's development team, which includes Chapel Hill architect Phil
Szostak and Dallas developer Garfield Traub.

Errato, of Alliance Theater Construction Consulting, was involved in
developing a 5,000-seat convertible theater in Wallingford, Conn., the model
for Durham's planned events center. A former executive vice president for
SFX Entertainment, an events promoter bought by Clear Channel, Errato said
he didn't respond to the city's initial request for proposals because, at
the time, he was still bound by a legal agreement that prohibited him from
competing with Clear Channel.

The performing arts center, to be located across from the redeveloped
American Tobacco complex, would be the largest theater in the state, book at
least 50 national acts each year and provide a new home for the American
Dance Festival. Clear Channel would manage the theater and handle bookings
for a fee, but the city would own the venue and ultimately be responsible if
the theater loses money.

According to the proposal, the city would repay $24 million in certificates
of participation, debt that doesn't require voter approval, over 30 years
with hotel tax revenues and the theater's profits. An additional $18 million
would be raised from private sources, such as Duke University.

[snipped]

Staff writer Margie Fishman can be reached at 956-2405 or
mfishman AT newsobserver.com







  • Durham City Council DENIES public input on Clear Channel / Event Center (Herald-Sun, News & Observer), Caleb Southern, 06/08/2004

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