Tent over Metro Park Likely to be Taken Down, no plans to replace it

[Tacachale]

I thought the whole 12 events thing had to do with the noise complaints from across the water? I could be wrong on that.

I think it has to do with the federal funding that went into it (the land is actually National Parks Service). Too much revenue and they lose non-profit status. That, plus the noise complaints, are why the park will never reach its potential as a concert venue. Better to find a more effective use for it.

[strider]

Losing the tent and stage is losing something useful.  It will not be replaced by the new and improved amphitheater between the stadiums and so we will lose some number of events that would work best in the type of venue that is Metro Park.  With it's stage and tent Metro Park could still host the same number and types of events and we could hold more events at the new amphitheater.  Without the tent and stage and a decent part of the park, we get a net loss.

If we were losing this tent and stage by design, by a plan that would put something similar but better in it's place, that would be a positive.  But that is not the case.  We are losing the tent and stage through failure.  Not of the park, not of the tent, but the failure of the city to take care of it's assets and do what is needed.

Unfortunately, a common theme.

[Marle Brando]

Is a football field not an 'open field'? Is there not any imagination left in the world for one to not picture 'welcome to rockville' and 'the big ticket' concerts inside the stadium with the big boards lit in the background for main events and opening acts in the connected flex field and amphitheater? I don't see how you'd pass on that as a promoter and take the event elsewhere. As far as Met Park is concerned how about we do the obvious and leave it as a park, plant more trees, floral, small amphitheaters like the one under the fuller Warren bridge, kayak, canoe launches etc. Met parks format is still needed for the boat shows and world of nations type functions.

Simply convert Khans shipyards old practice field render and imagine it as a convention center. This, next to the flex field, amphitheater, everbank, updated metro, would be golden for any festival, pro bowl, college game, convention. Also the hotel in the concept would serve as the convention hotel.

[marty904]

So... not comparing Metro Park to the new Amphitheater, of which would be a better event venue...  The bottom line is that we are going to have, yet again, another piece of prime, water property - owned by the city - that is going to be sitting there unused, just like the shipyards.

For being the "River City" we sure do waste a lot of our riverfront property!  Maybe to fix Curry's pension woes, the city will lease Metro Park to the county as a parking lot for the school board employees and then use the water taxi to ferry them across the river to go to work in their waterfront office building.

[FlaBoy]

Losing the tent and stage is losing something useful.  It will not be replaced by the new and improved amphitheater between the stadiums and so we will lose some number of events that would work best in the type of venue that is Metro Park.  With it's stage and tent Metro Park could still host the same number and types of events and we could hold more events at the new amphitheater.  Without the tent and stage and a decent part of the park, we get a net loss.

If we were losing this tent and stage by design, by a plan that would put something similar but better in it's place, that would be a positive.  But that is not the case.  We are losing the tent and stage through failure.  Not of the park, not of the tent, but the failure of the city to take care of it's assets and do what is needed.

Unfortunately, a common theme.

I promise you Metro Park wasn't bringing concerts to town. Most large scale shows prefer to build their own stage anyway. Have you been to the Florida State Fairgrounds and the Amphitheater there? That venue brings in more shows than even Amway or Amalie Arena. Artists like this type of venue.

[johnnyliar]

you mean like welcome to rockville?  The promoter did three concerts there every year.  Now he's shit out of luck.

Do you think the promoter has any interest in doing it at the Amphitheater/flex field/stadium?
I'd hate to see us lose those big events.

[FlaBoy]

you mean like welcome to rockville?  The promoter did three concerts there every year.  Now he's shit out of luck.

If the tent comes down, what is the difference? When you go to most large festivals, they build their own stage and acoustics. Unless the city is stopping all concerts/festivals from occurring in Metro Park?

[exnewsman]

Yes, isn't the Amphitheater the replacement, be nice to see  some other type of development there

no, because the City has no control over it...and they are only guaranteed a few events a year....plus, many festivals are geared to open fields vs. fastened-down seats.

You've been banging this drum for months, but it's false. The city can host as many others as it wants at the new amphitheater (and is guaranteed 5). Plus the 25 events the Jags are committing to. Metro Park can only host 12 ticketed events a year. At least some of the "many festivals" happening at Metro Park now would do just as well at the amphitheater. Others could continue hosting at Metro Park and paying for their own stages, which they have to do now, or go to any of the other open spaces in the urban core.

Metro Park had a good run, but the bandshell was never a good facility, and it's never going to be.

The new venue is said to only hold 5,000 while Metro can handle double that.

[edjax]

Per article on JBJ, the Welcome to Rockville promoter doesn't seem too concerned with the tent and stage issue. He states most common is they do not have stages in other cities.  Also states he see using the new amphitheater in some capacity to compliment Welcome to Rockville in the future. 

[Tacachale]

Per article on JBJ, the Welcome to Rockville promoter doesn't seem too concerned with the tent and stage issue. He states most common is they do not have stages in other cities.  Also states he see using the new amphitheater in some capacity to compliment Welcome to Rockville in the future.

Yeah, the Metro Park bandshell is NOT what brought Welcome to Rockville or any other recent event into being. Rockville won't even use the bandshell this year, as it's closed. All those events could just as easily be held in any large open space, including the one right up the street at the Fairgrounds, even if they couldn't work at the new amphitheater.

[Marle Brando]

Yes, isn't the Amphitheater the replacement, be nice to see  some other type of development there

no, because the City has no control over it...and they are only guaranteed a few events a year....plus, many festivals are geared to open fields vs. fastened-down seats.

You've been banging this drum for months, but it's false. The city can host as many others as it wants at the new amphitheater (and is guaranteed 5). Plus the 25 events the Jags are committing to. Metro Park can only host 12 ticketed events a year. At least some of the "many festivals" happening at Metro Park now would do just as well at the amphitheater. Others could continue hosting at Metro Park and paying for their own stages, which they have to do now, or go to any of the other open spaces in the urban core.

Metro Park had a good run, but the bandshell was never a good facility, and it's never going to be.

The new venue is said to only hold 5,000 while Metro can handle double that.

And a football field can double that. You have standing room galore inside the stadium on the field. It's the same thing except better because videoboards, bars, flex. Bottom line is Rockville, Big Ticket will remain  downtown, just at Everbank. Nobody is losing here.

[Ocklawaha]

https://youtu.be/mUGo7F1qh9M

This from a 'pop-up thunder storm,' makes me think unless we are going to abandon the park for stadium parking (See the Kid's Campus in Metropolitan Park) and move the music venues somewhere else... Like Maxville? I get that sick feeling this is yet another Jacksonville 'pearl' that is about to bite the dust and no matter how well intentioned that will probably be the end of it.

[ProjectMaximus]

Yes, isn't the Amphitheater the replacement, be nice to see  some other type of development there

no, because the City has no control over it...and they are only guaranteed a few events a year....plus, many festivals are geared to open fields vs. fastened-down seats.

You've been banging this drum for months, but it's false. The city can host as many others as it wants at the new amphitheater (and is guaranteed 5). Plus the 25 events the Jags are committing to. Metro Park can only host 12 ticketed events a year. At least some of the "many festivals" happening at Metro Park now would do just as well at the amphitheater. Others could continue hosting at Metro Park and paying for their own stages, which they have to do now, or go to any of the other open spaces in the urban core.

Metro Park had a good run, but the bandshell was never a good facility, and it's never going to be.

The new venue is said to only hold 5,000 while Metro can handle double that.

5000 in the amphitheater but it is designed to overlook the stadium as well so I think capacity is not an issue.

[tufsu1]

5000 in the amphitheater but it is designed to overlook the stadium as well so I think capacity is not an issue.

wrong....its the other way around....the stadium club seats and Bud zone in the south end might look into the amphitheater, but pretty sure that festival crowds aren't exactly the patrons the Jaguars have in mind for the club areas. 

The entire discussion on how the amphitheater would be configured, and whether there is overflow space in or around the stadium, is precisely why the City should have required a formal site plan before agreeing to fund it!