Upscale amphitheater best bet for downtown
For anyone who has bothered to notice, The Hole is regaining its junkyard look. It’s become a popular spot for construction workers to park heavy equipment and store just about anything they aren’t currently using.
Of course downtown is hardly close to a finished state. There’s still much renovation work to be done so expecting The Hole to appear pristine, while the rest of Main Street is in shambles, is not reasonable.
However, it is an opportune time to plan for the future of The Hole. McMinnville officials maintain the Main Street project will be finished, for the most part, by the end of the year. That means the time is now to decide what to do with a piece of property that has a rich tradition of being an eyesore.
Before the $5 million Main Street project began, The Hole was is better shape. Brian Curran was on the corner selling his famous hot dogs and grass – actual grass – gave the lot a pleasant look. People rightfully began viewing the property as having potential instead of having to be cleaned.
City aldermen appeared ready to continue that momentum by talking about ways to enhance The Hole even more once downtown revitalization work was complete. And the idea that kept recurring was that of building an amphitheater and making a small park.
There would be grass and trees to give The Hole a natural feel. That type of setting has, after all, been tremendously popular just two blocks down the road where crowds have flocked to The West Lawn of Security Federal to see the Main Street Live concert series every Friday night.
There would be water features where kids could take off their shoes and play during hot summer months. It would be a reason for children to actually want to come downtown.
A stage would be built to accommodate entertainment. This stage would be large enough for every member of the Silver and Gold Band. It would be great for the Autumn Street Fair, Fourth of July festivities, and any other event that wanted to take root downtown.
Unfortunately, the vision has developed a snag. Several aldermen said this week they don’t want an elaborate amphitheater and park constructed at The Hole. Instead, they want the property to be developed into (yawn) office space or another business.
While it’s hard to argue with bringing jobs to the area, smack dab in the middle of Court Square is not the best place. City officials have a rare opportunity to make downtown special and an entertainment venue is a much better fit.
If a business wants to locate on Main Street, there is certainly no shortage of available space, especially office space. Ken Roberts is turning the first floor of the old Fraley’s building into offices. Since City Bank has transformed into Union Planters and now Regions Bank, there is an abundance of quality office space directly on Court Square.
What downtown McMinnville needs more than anything else is a little character and charm. That’s the reason for the massive Main Street project to begin with, to make our downtown not just a shopping district but a destination point.
Constructing an office or a new retail business at The Hole is a definite improvement, but it’s not special. It’s not a place grown-ups will remember visiting as children. It’s not a place for parents to bring a camera and take a picture of little Billy splashing in the water.
McMinnville officials have certainly been on target with this Main Street project and the need to rejuvenate a downtown area that was clinging to life. But they have missed the mark with comments about turning The Hole into an office complex.
An upscale amphitheater, complete with trees, grass and water features for the kids would make downtown a memorable place. Such a park would last for generations to come and create memories for a lifetime.
That’s longer than could be said for a new business locating at The Hole. If that business should close shop, we’re left with another empty downtown building to fill.