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Amphitheater start delayed Central Point mayor promises appeals unless changes are made in Expo plan By Buffy Pollock CENTRAL POINT � Construction of a 5,900-seat outdoor amphitheater at the Jackson County Fairgrounds and Exposition Park won�t begin until fall, thanks to delays caused by concerns over traffic and noise, fair officials say. Meanwhile, Mayor Bill Walton, who opposes an outdoor facility so close to town, vowed at Thursday�s City Council meeting he would take the matter "clear to LUBA" (the state Land Use Board of Appeals) if the project goes through as planned. Although the amphitheater was originally scheduled to break ground in June, Fair Board President Leigh Johnson said he expected construction of the $2.85 million project to "hopefully begin within the next eight to nine months." Johnson said the process had been slowed by concerns over traffic and noise voiced by citizens and council members at an October meeting with Jackson County commissioners. "It's more important to make sure this is done right than done in a hurry," Johnson said. The county was addressing those concerns by hiring sound engineers and through a traffic study conducted recently by the Oregon Department of Transportation, he said. The traffic study suggested changes to the intersection at Peninger and Pine. They ranged from retiming stoplights to placing an officer who would direct traffic during events to opening parking lots earlier. Johnson said no decision has been made on the suggestions. To resolve any potential sound issues, Johnson said, "a very good, professional sound engineering company would provide expertise during construction." The amphitheater would face Interstate 5 and have 16-foot buffers to diminish noise levels, he said. Johnson said he would involve Central Point "every step of the way." "They'll be included in the process, and we will get all our I's dotted and T's crossed," he said. But Walton said he was still not convinced an amphitheater could be built "so close to city limits without serious consequences." At the October meeting, Walton challenged Johnson to show him "three sister cities in which an amphitheater had been built and not caused serious noise and traffic problems for citizenry." If that could be done, Walton said, he would support the project "100 percent." News that the project was moving forward came as a surprise to Walton. "Last I knew we were waiting for them to provide three comparable cities," Walton said. Although the Fair Board sent the city a letter stating it intended to fulfill Walton�s request, Johnson said the board had since "backed off that." "I understand he (Walton) is sincere in wanting to visit three places where there are no complaints, but I don't think you can even find a small theater where no one complains," Johnson said. "We decided to spend the time and money answering problems here at home before trying to find out what's wrong somewhere else in the U.S." At the council�s Thursday meeting, Walton said the city had not been informed of meetings and had not received the list of cities the Fair Board said it would provide. "I recommended as mayor, when this came to fruition, that we move on it and go clear to LUBA," Walton said. Johnson remained satisfied the Fair Board was addressing Walton�s and other citizens� concerns in the most expedient way possible. "We're not gonna debate issues or need in other than a land-use arena," Johnson said. "You're not going to find any amphitheater that doesn't have an impact." The amphitheater has been a part of the Expo�s master plan for more than 20 years, fair officials say. Planned near the south pond at the Expo Park, it is designed to bring major music acts into the Rogue Valley as well as provide a facility for smaller local productions and events. The facility will be funded through economic development grants, donations and sponsorships. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.