WAER News embarked on a three-part series looking deeper into the significance and impact of the new Lakeview Amphitheater. Thursday's concert is the only one planned for this year; a full slate is expected to be scheduled for 2016.
CONVINCING CRITICS
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney still finds herself trying to convince skeptics that the amphitheater can be a boost to the local economy. She says the concert…and the opening of the grounds to the public for the first time, might be a starting point to win over critics.
"Most of the concerns I think will be allayed when people see it. People don't know what that setting is because they haven't seen it. I don't think people are picturing how beautiful this is."
But it’s about more than the picturesque location on Onondaga Lake. Mahoney says she’s trying to make the case through the more mundane discussion of shifting county government funding from the property tax levy to sales tax dollars.
"Instead of filling potholes, why would you build an amphitheater? Because the amphitheater is going to generate revenue show after show after show that will put money in the county coffers to fill the potholes. If you take the money and fill the potholes, the money's gone. If you take the money and you put it in an investment that will generate the resources you need, you can fill those potholes out on the horizon. I know it's a different way of thinking, and I'll say it as often as I can."
Mahoney says the design-build approach enabled the county to ask architects and contractors what $50 million could buy. She says the event center behind the stage might not be essential, but does add value to the venue. Plus, Mahoney says, there is a cool factor to the amphitheater…something she promised when she first ran for office in 2007.
QUESTIONS OF LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE
The Lakeview Amphitheater is the newest addition to Onondaga County’s Parks portfolio. But some might be wondering if the venue can support itself without too many additional tax dollars.
Taxpayers shelled out just under $50 million for the amphitheater with the promise that it would generate enough tax revenue to justify the hefty price tag. But what about ongoing maintenance? County Executive Joanie Mahoney says an easy way to look at it might be in two parts: the amphitheater itself and the park, which has been folded into the county’s parks system.
"You'll be able to rent the event space the same way you can rent space at Highland Forest and Arrowhead Lodge. The bike path goes straight through, there is a lawn that's going to need to be mowed. That is going to happen through the regular parks operations. The additional costs associated with the amphitheater, the equipment that needs to be rented for the shows and the additional security to put the shows on...that's going to be covered by the revenue that comes from the shows."
Mahoney says she’ll be submitting her proposed parks budget to the legislature, and it will include money for amphitheater grounds maintenance. Legislature Chair Ryan McMahon doesn’t expect it to be an issue.
"We firmly believe that the economic activity that will happen at that facility will more than pay for the items in the parks department budget. It may not be any new personnel, but we'll see what the county executive brings to us in the next 30 days."
McMahon says he’s also likely to be comfortable with whatever revenue agreement might be reached with the future manager of the amphitheater. County Executive Mahoney says like any other county park, her administration will always consider improvements and upgrades. Permanent concession stands have been mentioned as a possible addition.
THE AMPHITHEATER'S ROLE IN LAKEFRONT REVITALIZATION
The $50 million venue has generated much excitement and some controversy. But the project is also part of a larger vision to re-claim the lakefront from decades of neglect.
It was in January 2014 when Governor Cuomo stopped in Solvay to announce a $100 million western shore revitialization plan for Onondaga Lake. The centerpiece: A lakefront concert pavilion. But with that was a plan to make extensive infrastructure improvements in Solvay, including a complete overhaul of Bridge street from the village to the fairgrounds. County Executive Joanie Mahoney says work should begin after the fair.
"We're going to bury utilities, we're repaving the road, we're redesigning the road, it's going to be a lot more attractive and friendly to that foot traffic. Now with the investment coming to the state fairgrounds and a year-round use for the fair, we would really like it if people would make their way by foot to some of the restaurants on Milton Ave., and recognize that Solvay is part of that community that includes the fair and includes the amphitheater."
The project also includes major upgrades to Milton Avenue, and the clean-up of several old industrial sites to spur new development. Meanwhile, the county continues an effort to re-claim the former Roth Steel scrapyard on the southeastern tip of the lake for public use. Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon says the industrial development agency is working with a Canadian steel magnate who was interested in the site to find a better location.
"And if they work, I think we can try to put together a deal. Obviously, the IDA is still moving forward on their current path to do the environmental review to put themselves in a position to talk to the public about what they want to potentially do. These paths are concurrent paths, but we hope that we can work out a deal."
Mahoney:
"It's very easy when you say can you have the jobs and have a bike path and the clean lake? You can here, so why not. "
