I am writing because I was down at the Old Mill this past weekend during the concerts, and was shocked and upset at how patrolled that area has become on concert nights.
What used to be a fun community event – the Les Schwab Concert Series – has become very unfriendly to pedestrians, cyclists, and those passing by. The promoters of the show have decided that people walking by might hear the music – and so now the foot bridge is policed, the sidewalks are patrolled, and 1/4 mile back on the dirt-nature part of the area are as well.
Anyone who isn’t a ticket-holding patron who stops longer than 30 seconds is told to move along, and move on. And, quite aggressively I might add.
What a sad state of affairs! These concerts used to be good for our town – they brought people together, they were fun, they were a place where high
school kids could hang out and be out of trouble, etc. We need that!
Now – they embody the separation between the haves and have-nots, and the sense of fun and community they once brought to town is gone.
Obviously most people would like to buy a ticket and enter the show – seeing a band is superior in all ways. But not everyone can afford tickets (at $40 a show!?!), and now those who can’t are on the proverbial other side of the line – and asked to leave.
I know the promoters buy advertisements with the Source. Still, after watching many a Bendite be ushered along (even those with kids, playing in the sand courts) I’ll have to say the change is unfavorable to our community and deserves the BOOT!
Thanks for considering,
– Tamara Houston
This article appears in Jun 2-8, 2011.
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Let me get this straight. Tamara wants to get something for nothings and she wants to boot the promoters? Someone needs the boot alright, but it isn’t the concert promoters.
On Shevlin Hixion Dr there is the Oregon Trunk Railroad Depot, now the Art Station, which O.D.O.T in the late 90’S payed $300,000 of taxpayers money to preserve the building.The street, sidewalk, water mains and power lines leading past the venue are also maintained with taxpayers money.Therefore,this is not a private street owned and operated by Les Schwab, nor the promoters. Furthermore, the National Guard that sits adjacent from the amphitheater receives a significant funding from who else,ding, ding, ding, that’s right, THE TAX PAYERS! If one wants to pay $55 to enter the grounds to watch the show, well that’s their own prerogative,but shouldn’t the tax payers have the right to stand on the land they help finance?
Actually, several of the roads around the Old Mill are private roads with public access. The signs are there. That said, they shouldn’t be heavy handed to the people outside the fence of the venue. The Old Mill stores let us hang along the river and they were great. Security on that side enjoyed the music with us as they came by.
The promoters for the Les Schwab Summer Concert series are doing a pathetic job anyways. They virtually have the same exact line up year in and year out, with little, to no variation. People mine as well save their money and attend a concert there every five years,perhaps by then there might actually be something worth seeing.