A City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Metropolitan Park was established to study noise complaints originating from live music events at the Northbank park, but in recent weeks the scope of the committee has evolved.
Council member Don Redman filed and later withdrew a bill proposing to eliminate 12 live music events at the park because of noise complaints by Southbank residents.
The issue dominated the discussion and public comment during a Jan. 22 Council meeting and, in response, Council President Bill Bishop created the ad hoc committee and asked Council member Denise Lee to chair it.
Bishop charged it to make recommendations to the full Council of an equitable resolution while taking into account concerns of residents and the City's desire to allow the park to be used by independent promoters for outdoor concerts and other events.
At a Feb. 7 organizational meeting, Lee said the committee's goal is to find ways to make Metropolitan Park and other City parks more useful for the enjoyment of residents.
The committee's focus has evolved to include a study of how similar parks in other cities and states are operated.
In addition, it will study Metropolitan Park's financial history and current position, two items on the agenda when the committee met Thursday.
A trust fund for park maintenance and improvements created in 1996 has a balance of more than $753,000. Revenue sources include park rental and marina dockage fees, concession sales and private sources. Expenditures include marina dredging, pavilion and stage repairs and ongoing maintenance.
As for the park's condition, one representative said the venue in its present state is not an ideal festival setting because of a lack of provided amenities.
"This isn't a turnkey venue. It's hard to stage a modern show there," said attorney Mike Yokan.
Yokan represents producers of the April 27-28 "Welcome to Rockville" music festival scheduled at the park.
"Only a handful of promoters can take on events at Metropolitan Park due to the logistics," Yokan said.
The makeup of the committee also could be altered.
Lee said she would invite WJCT President Michael Boylan and JAX Chamber Downtown Engagement Director Tony Allegretti to join the group. Allegretti also serves as the Downtown Investment Authority's Downtown Experience chair.
The committee will meet March 7.
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