Rhode Island news
Concert center proposed for Ninigret
01:00 AM EDT on Friday, September 5, 2008
CHARLESTOWN — Acting Town Council President James M. Mageau yesterday proposed a plan to build a concert and festival center on 11.2 acres in the northeast corner of Ninigret Park.
The project would cost an estimated $1.5 million and would be paid for through event fees.
The plan is expected to be discussed Monday at the Town Council’s meeting.
Also on the agenda is a proposal by the Parks and Recreation Commission, which manages the 227.4-acre park, to change the fees charged to special events to 3 percent of “total gross receipts” and require organizers to “provide revenue statements to be certified” by a certified public accountant.
Organizers of the four largest events that are held in the park –– the Seafood Festival, the Big Apple Circus, Rhythm & Roots, and the Reggae Festival –– have objected to opening their books to the town. Some of the promoters have discussed moving their events elsewhere if the new requirement is imposed.
The proposed fee hike has received a mixed reception.
Under Mageau’s plan, the town would issue bonds to finance the concert and festival center. To pay off the debt, Mageau proposes increasing the current $2,500 daily fee to $10,000 per event, or 5 to 10 percent of the event’s revenues (including tickets and vendors), whichever is greater. Alternatively, Mageau proposes a $1 to $5 surcharge on tickets.
Promoters would have to agree to hire a CPA to certify the number of tickets sold.
Any money left over after debt payments, he says, would go into other improvements outlined in the park’s recently completed master plan, an estimated $7-million blueprint.
The master plan consultant –– Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, of Watertown, Mass. –– recommended developing the concert/festival center in conjunction with a reconfiguration of the park’s entrance and road improvements on the eastern side of the site, which would allow a new traffic configuration.
Ideally, the consultant said, the parking area would also be upgraded.
On Monday the council is expected to consider a request from the Parks and Recreation Commission to solicit proposals to redesign the park’s entrance. The proposals would include an extension and reconfiguration of an internal road to provide direct access to the senior center off Old Post Road and a proposed community center near the current entrance to the park.
More top stories
3 in Swansea family held on kidnapping, assault charges
R.I. governor sides with bishop, says Kennedy’s remarks ‘outrageous’
Soup kitchen maestro: For 18 years, Ernie Marot has kept the meals coming in Pawtucket
Most Viewed Yesterday
Providence bishop disputes Kennedy’s take on Communion message
R.I. education commissioner unveils sweeping reform plan
R.I. newcaster Art Lake dead at 85
Most active surveys
Should URI consider discontinuing its football program?
Who will win the PC-URI basketball game?
Saints or Colts: Which 10-0 team is more impressive?
Will you allow your children to be vaccinated against swine flu? Why or why not?
Most e-mailed in the last 24 hours
Reader Reaction









You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name