Downtown concert plan seems to have city leaders' support / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, March 22, 2008

By Chad Lawhorn

March 22, 2008

City leaders likely to support outdoor concert

Lawrence city commissioners will consider rocking out during their next meeting. Enlarge video

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Kansas City has its Starlight Theatre. Maybe downtown Lawrence will have Ninth and New Hampshire to tout as its unique outdoor concert venue.

City commissioners at Tuesday evening's meeting will be asked to approve permits allowing the Grammy-winning group WILCO to play a concert May 14 on the vacant lots near Ninth and New Hampshire streets.

"We think we have an opportunity to bring in a great band and do something unique to help drive people into downtown Lawrence on a week that is normally pretty quiet," said Mike Logan, a Lawrence-based promoter proposing the show.

The event needs city approval because Logan is asking that much of the 900 block of New Hampshire Street be closed to traffic. The concert would take place on two vacant lots: one on the southwestern corner and one on the southeastern corner.

Thus far, city commissioners are looking favorably on the idea, even though it would change traffic patterns.

"Sometimes to have events like this downtown, it requires a little bit of inconvenience," City Commissioner Boog Highberger said. "But most of the time, I think it is worth it."

Logan said he thinks the benefits would be significant for downtown. The concert would be on a Wednesday evening, but with an expected crowd of 4,000 people, he said businesses would be busy like on a weekend.

"It will fill up hotel rooms on a Wednesday night, and we think it will be good business for the restaurants on an otherwise slow night," Logan said.

Mayor Sue Hack said the exposure the event could give to downtown was a major reason she was leaning toward approving the concert.

"I think this is going to be a good event," Hack said. "We need to have more events downtown."

Logan's company, Pipeline Productions, will bring in a stage for the band, an alternative country-rock group. He's proposing to fence the area, although access to private businesses such as PepperJax Grill and The Salvation Army won't be affected. He's also proposing to leave open the southern entrance of the city's parking garage on New Hampshire Street for concert-goers and the general public.

The concert is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., although the road may close as early as 6 a.m. to allow for setup of the stage.

Logan also is seeking to sell alcohol at the event, but city commissioners likely won't take up that issue until at least April 29. Because the location is within 400 feet of The Salvation Army church, the city must hold a special hearing.

If approved, the concert would be the latest in a string of events at the Ninth and New Hampshire location. Within the last year, Downtown Lawrence Inc. hosted a film festival and a watch party for the Kansas University-Missouri football game.

Thus far, many downtown merchants seem pleased with the idea of hosting more events downtown.

"We're all for events that bring more excitement downtown," said Mary Cox, a co-owner of Shark's Surf Shop and a board member of Downtown Lawrence Inc.

The vacant lots are owned by members of the Downtown 2000 development group. Plans for the lots call for retail and commercial development, but the projects haven't yet materialized during the slow economy.

Commissioners meet at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

Discussion

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22 March 2008
at 7:24 a.m.

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Toto_the_great (Anonymous) says…

Wilco!?! Sweet!
22 March 2008
at 7:48 a.m.

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mothernature (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence needs to rework down town to include a permanent outdoor music venue. I like Boulder and Fort Collins Colorado's down towns with pedestrian only traffic and live entertainment all the time. Then we could have full hotels, restaurants, and shops all the time not just one random day. Wake up and start being pro active for the long term success of our local economy!
22 March 2008
at 8:14 a.m.

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Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

Wilco? WOOOO!

As for the pedestrian mall? That worked really well in Boulder. But you know what: About a million towns tried doing the same thing in the 1970s. And ended up killing their downtowns. It's probably best not to take that risk.
22 March 2008
at 9:09 a.m.

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affreca (Anonymous) says…

I love pedestrian malls, and I'd love for downtown to be one. Unfortunately, Mass street connects to the bridge across the Kaw. I can see that being a bit of a problem if we closed Mass to cars. (And we already have a parking garage, and I've almost never had a problem finding a place to park).
22 March 2008
at 9:28 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Better watch out!

This concert will not live up to the expectations of the “vision” of the now disgraced “Progressives” and could herald the beginning of the rebirth of Downtown……….as……..

………an Entertainment District!

Hmmmmm….and just *WHO* has been advocating that rebirth for the last few years?
22 March 2008
at 9:45 a.m.

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MCwzMC (Anonymous) says…

Wilco rocks! Sounds like fun.
22 March 2008
at 11:16 a.m.

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toefungus (Anonymous) says…

Do you drive people downtown or pull people downtown?

22 March 2008
at 11:36 a.m.

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Keith (Anonymous) says…

“Joel (Joel Mathis) says:

Wilco? WOOOO!

As for the pedestrian mall? That worked really well in Boulder. But you know what: About a million towns tried doing the same thing in the 1970s. And ended up killing their downtowns. It's probably best not to take that risk.”

“its_getting_warmer (Anonymous) says:

Hey Joel, other than Boulder, can you identify three or four of the 'million' other ciites that destroyed their downtowns? Just curious.”

I'm not Joel, but 2 come to mind, KC KS, and Lake Charles LA. The latter one I have personal knowledge of, and is still struggling to return to where it was in the 70s.
22 March 2008
at 12:27 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

This is a great idea. I hope the commissioners approve it.
22 March 2008
at 12:32 p.m.

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oldtimer39 (Anonymous) says…

think this is a grand idea and I hope it happens. My grandson and I both listen to Wilco and think they're fantastic.
I wonder what they'll charge, though, for a concert that you'll be able to hear crystal clear for free across the street. Of course, I'll be paying to support the band - I'm just wondering is all.
22 March 2008
at 12:51 p.m.

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sjschlag (Anonymous) says…

Wilco is awesome. This is the best idea. Ever.
22 March 2008
at 1:01 p.m.

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frwent (Anonymous) says…

Don't put any stock in any notion that is attributed to the city commission. These people only respond to the direction of the “city staff”, the un-elected, un-accountable paid employees and “consultants”. Comissioners do not have the guts to exert any of their own intelligence (??), they merely respond to and rubber stamp the instructions of the city manager and his accomplices. I know.
22 March 2008
at 3:39 p.m.

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camper (Anonymous) says…

Sounds like a good idea. Wilco is a pretty good live band. I just thought of a few things that might help the thing run safely and be a success. Most of them have to do with that old problem we know of as alcohol:

1) Make the event for the early afternoon.
2) If beer is sold, don't sell it for 25 cents a cup. Sell it expensive. Baseball has been doing this for years.
3) Beef up the police security, and let it be known that the security is for safety, not for citation issuance.
4) Offer a booth where help and assistance can be provided to get people home safely rather than throwing them in the drunk tank.
5) Have Lawrence Welk close the show (just kidding).

All in all, I think this can be pulled off. If this does not seem feasible because of neighborhood concerns, why not consider one of the parks located near downtown?
22 March 2008
at 3:45 p.m.

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camper (Anonymous) says…

Oh and one other comment. I know many would object to my beer price comment. The event is really supposed to be about the music and a good time where people can just enjoy getting out and seeing some entertainment outside. After all, dowtown Lawrence can really be a pretty place. If done properly, the show could be a great experience for Wilco fans and those who may just be visiting and happen in on the event.
22 March 2008
at 5:11 p.m.

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camper (Anonymous) says…

Hawk, I don't know. To this day, I love walking dowtown knowing that the basic structure has been there for more than a hundred years. It is just something you don't see often. Though the shops are modern, Lawrence downtown is an attractive place….with a lot of history. In many ways, this is what makes Lawrence unique.

I travelled to Minneapolis and Chicago and they have these things all the time. No troubles whatsoever. It made me fond of those cities too. Even in Houston they have live concerts just about the time everyone gets off of work on Friday. Well receieved, little violence. All in all pretty cool.

22 March 2008
at 8:06 p.m.

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olmsted78 (Anonymous) says…

Already know a flock of people from out of town that would make the trip to Lawrence if this goes down. I would imagine, given the band's midwest roots and ever-escalating popularity this will be pretty awesome match for Lawrence currents, alumni & visitors. Might bring a portion of the graduation crowd in a day or two early as well…. I know they've played that 9th Street Fest in downtown Columbia at least a couple times— never been, but it'd be nice to have a few more downtown entertainment events of a bigger scope to draw some added exposure to the downtown & surrounding area…

…

Why downtown?? Because it's a unique setting, amongst tons of other pretty obvious reasons.

….As far as mention of the orchestra, that'd be great too, bring a healthy variety of stuff that would fit this type of setting.

Fun idea. It'll be interesting to see the dynamics involved with pulling it off successfully. Good Luck.
22 March 2008
at 8:08 p.m.

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a2thek (Anonymous) says…

I think they also ought to look into having Willie Nelson come and play some tunes. LOL…Also this will be very close to the homeless shelter, surely it's going to be a free event and they arent going to charge those poor homeless people.
23 March 2008
at 3 a.m.

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olmsted78 (Anonymous) says…

Oh, and just to be greedy, how about Louris & Olson to open….
23 March 2008
at 4:19 a.m.

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thatsmyname (Anonymous) says…

This is good news and a great precedent, especially for the plans we have.

We are making strong plans on having a street performers festival downtown this August. Something along the lines of the world class events in Toronto, New Zealand but on a smaller scale. We want to bring top notch acts to our little downtown to give folks a taste of what real street performers are like. Nothing like the tambourine shakers and panhandlers we have now….
23 March 2008
at 1:32 p.m.

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Meatwad (Anonymous) says…

Hotels and restaurants will be full on a Wednesday night. This is a great idea!! I hope there are more concerts downtown. They would be wise to offer a bus service from campus (maybe from the Union?) or somewhere with a large parking lot. Parking for this will be crazy. A lot of people will come from KC and all around.
23 March 2008
at 9:47 p.m.

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jayhonk (Anonymous) says…

It's not planned as a free show, guys.

jes sayin.
23 March 2008
at 10:07 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

that's my name,
why don't you plan it in Late sept or oct, when it won't be too hot to go downtown?
Like all the artists that won't bring their good work to Arts in the Park because of the humidity here.

“It's not planned as a free show.”
If you're in earshot, it's a free show.*wink*
23 March 2008
at 11:19 p.m.

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KUBABYJ (Anonymous) says…

I remember the days when we had a street concert the night of the sidewalk sale. Fabulous Flippers, etc.

24 March 2008
at 9:38 a.m.

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jafs (Anonymous) says…

Interesting.

When I lived close to downtown Lawrence, I was subjected to loud music from restaurants, etc.

If I still lived there, I wouldn't be too crazy about a loud concert on a work/school night - I'm surprised there aren't any comments about that.
25 March 2008
at 8:37 p.m.

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stevevanjames (Anonymous) says…

they should have wakarusa fest downtown… …