Mayor proposes adding outdoor sound to amphitheater.

Jan. 15—A proposal last week by Mayor Tab Bowling to install a $631,561 outdoor sound and lighting system at Daikin Amphitheater in the downtown Founders Park has received a lukewarm reception from council members, but performers embrace the idea.

Core Construction Group drafted a plan to improve Bowling with a design by Barnett Landscape Architecture + Planning. This proposal covers outdoor sound and lighting, construction, power upgrades, engineering, project management, and more.

“Sound quality and lighting at the amphitheater has been challenging. Bowling stated to the City Council that the amphitheater isn’t often used.

Daikin America would donate $142,500 towards the proposed project. This would bring down the city’s costs to $508,008.

Bowling stated that they received a generous donation from Daikin. The amphitheater was underutilized so this is an opportunity to fix it. “We want to improve the quality of life in the city, and this project would enable us to hold more events there.”

Brian Leighton from Southern Sound stated that “one of the major reasons” the amphitheater located in front of Old State Bank doesn’t get much use is that it has to be used during daytime because there is no outdoor lighting.

Leighton explained that the equipment is not being used by performers because they must use their own sound systems.

He claimed that the sound system for the project would be simple to operate with a locked-and-key control. He said that the expected lifespan of the sound- and lighting equipment is between 10 and 15 years.

Leighton stated that the sound system could meet the needs of 90% to 95% regional performers.

Leighton stated, “People could just connect up without having to lug around a bunch of equipment.” It would allow larger groups to put on shows as they wish. Regional bands often require a certain level of quality that is not required by Taylor Swift.

Bowling has made the proposal for upgrades before. He suggested that the council use $160,000 of Daikin donations to upgrade the sound and lighting systems in the amphitheater. In 2020, he made the same recommendation. He estimated that the city would need to pay $30,000 in addition to $160,000 Daikin donation.

His plans did not gain traction with the City Council before, and is now being seen with suspicion by some of the current council members.

Hunter Pepper, Carlton McMasters, Kyle Pike, and Carlton McMasters said they are having difficulty with the cost proposal of over $500,000.

McMasters claimed that it was too large a number. McMasters stated, “Quality-of life projects are important, but I have many questions.”

Leighton stated that Founders Park could host “a crowd between 5,000 and 8,000” with a popular older group such as the Marshall Tucker Band or.38 Special.

McMasters and Pike both said that they are not sure Founders Park is capable of holding 5,000 to 8,000 people. If it does have an act that draws a large crowd, they questioned the management, security, and parking options.

Pepper stated that he is grateful to Daikin and his efforts in improving Founders Park. He said that he opposed spending more money from the city on the amphitheater.

Pepper stated, “I don’t want (to spend a penny) of my constituents’ money (on amphitheater).” Pepper stated, “That’s 508,000 of taxpayers money that could go towards a lot other projects in the City.” I will not vote and I hope that the other council members do not vote along with me.”

Pepper suggested that the money could be used for the replacement of the roof at the Flint Fire and Police Training Center, Old Highway 31. Tracy Thornton, Fire Chief, said that the roof had major leaks and that Johns and Kirksey Inc. would pay $283,000.

Pepper said that he does not believe the amphitheater would bring in an artist who could attract 5,000-8,000 people.

Pepper stated, “If we ever bring in 5,000 people I will donate every penny to the project.”

Decatur Park Concerts is now a city-run outdoor concert series. The concerts are held at the amphitheater every spring and fall. The original name of the series of musical performances was Concerts by the River. They were based at Rhodes Ferry Park. But the last three concerts in the 2017-18 season were held at the amphitheater.

The COVID pandemic caused the cancellation of the series in 2020. It was also shortened in 2021. But, every concert at the amphitheater usually attracted at least 100 people last year.

Benefits

Chuck Puckett is a local playwright, director, actor and former bank street player who has long advocated for the installation of lighting and sound systems to the amphitheater. On Friday, he stated that it would significantly increase the venue’s utility.

Puckett stated that “not to belabor the obvious” but it has doubled the number of things you can do there. You could have nighttime performances. You could have more bands.”

He stated that Decatur Park Concerts is an example of such a benefit.

They continue until after darkness falls, but once it is past dark, you can’t even see the light. That would be extended by a lighting system. They have an amphitheater that has an incredible stage and a slope for people to put their blankets on. It’s a wonderful place, but it’s not being used to its full potential.

Puckett stated that he has directed and participated in several productions at the amphitheater. The requirement that volunteers set up and remove portable sound and lighting systems following each performance and practice created a lot of strain for volunteers. He said that this burden would discourage many productions from using the amphitheater for their venue.

Billy Jackson, Councilman, said that he has always supported things like the concert series. However in this instance, he is concerned that the city has not done enough to improve the amphitheater.

“I don’t know of any conversations with the nearby neighborhood about increased volume, hours, or additional traffic. Jackson stated that Jackson has not addressed critical issues like bathroom facilities.

Jackson said that he didn’t believe the council should act on the project right now, as it’s not included in the fiscal budget 2023.

Jackson stated, “This project will be costly our citizens $508,000” and that unless there are reasons to do so immediately, it should have been addressed at the midyear budget revision or at Budget Time. While I know that the state code requires us to approve a budget, if we plan on spending without considering budgetary considerations, then budgeting is meaningless for the city.

Jacob Ladner, Councilman, stated that he believes it is important for the amphitheater to have sound and lighting systems that can be easily used by local theater companies and musicians. However, he acknowledged that large audiences could present challenges.

Ladner stated that he was okay with local theater and band companies having it made easier. “One of my complaints is the poor sound and lighting at the amphitheater,” Ladner said.

Bowling acknowledged that he had heard from members of council concerns about the costs. Bowling said that he has been working on this project for several years, but inflation caused the cost to rise from the early estimates.

Bowling stated, “We will be exploring ways to offer this project in alternative formats.” “Maybe the lights can be put in first, and the sound system done later.”

The amphitheater was approved by the City Council in September 2013. It opened in May 2015. Daikin contributed $100,000 to the construction of the $385,000 amphitheater. $125,000 was also awarded by the state to the city. Although the initial cost of construction was estimated at $200,000, costs increased as the city sought to reduce traffic noise from Wilson Street Northwest. As a noise buffer, a dirt berm was also added.

Hugh Long, Athens State University drama professor and artistic director of the Athenian Players was part of the original design committee for the amphitheater. He stated that sound and lighting systems were part the long-term plans and that they are necessary to make the amphitheater fully functional and maximize the benefits for Decatur.

He stated, “You cannot have a performance without directing the sound to your audience,” and that’s particularly important for an amphitheater located next to Wilson Street and its truck traffic.

Long suggested that adding lighting would encourage people to visit downtown restaurants nearby by allowing them to enjoy evening performances.

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