THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501250467
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
The City Council still hasn't formally decided to build an amphitheater, but it took another step in that direction Tuesday by allocating money for its design.
The Council voted 8-3 to begin designing an 18,000- to 20,000-seat outdoor concert hall for a site near the Municipal Center.
The three members who opposed the spending have consistently spoken against investing public money in an entertainment center. In revised financial projections, released Tuesday, the city's budget director said the amphitheater would cost nearly $14 million, with the city paying $7.8 million and concert promoter Cellar Door Entertainment of Virginia Beach putting up $6 million.
Supporters on the council say the 80-acre facility would benefit residents and would be an engine for economic development. A similar facility in Raleigh is credited with helping pump $23 million into the economy there last year.
If the council decides later that it does not want to build the amphitheater, the city will lose only about $100,000, said E. Dean Block, head of the city's department of management and budget. He said it is important to proceed with design of the theater and its access roads now, so a facility would be able to open in April 1996, in time for the summer entertainment season.
The public will be able to comment on the proposal when it is presented to the Planning Commission on March 8 and to the council on March 28. by CNB