In a flyer headed “Dear Concessionaire/Promoter” handed out at the meeting, members of “Friends of Seaside Park” – an arm of Park Advocates based in Manhattan -- said that “over 13,0000 people have signed petitions OPPOSING THIS PROJECT.” They stressed that “not one but two synagogues across the street” conduct services and study classes “all day long every day of the year,” and that according to New York City’s administrative code, amplified sound is not permitted while religious services are being held.
Parks officials at the meeting contended that any performances would comply with the law.
Markowitz was not at the meeting.
The protesters sported signs reading: “MY Park, not Markowitz’s” and “Spending $64 million to give performers a nice toilet? Forgeddahaboutit!”
Paulo Faria, an architect with the Grimshaw firm based in Manhattan, gave a Power Point presentation highlighting the planned design of the amphitheater. Key elements included “fixed seating” to accommodate 5,000 (although he said later that the seats could be removed when there are no performances), a translucent canopy resembling a giant potato chip, and facilities for selling beer (another sore point with the protesters).
He said the site could be used for unspecified “other events” during the winter.
Asked by Bay Currents how much the Parks Department had paid the firm to do the designs, officials would not say, and Faria, emphasizing that he was just on staff with the company, said he didn’t know.
The Friends of Seaside Park stated on the flyer, “The proposed amphitheater will not be welcomed in this community. We are well organized and prepared to protect our quality of life. We will battle this project in every possible fashion.”
One promoter – Sam Kimball with Marquee Productions, whose venues include Madison Square Garden – told Bay Currents he hadn’t reached any conclusion about bringing talent to the site. “We’re just listening and learning,” he said. He added that when he scouts possible venues, he examines whether it makes sense for his clients to perform there. As for the proposed amphitheater, “we don’t know if it makes sense,” he said.
