Music Ampitheater to be sold for Development?

June 6th, 2007 categories: Columbus News

No, not the LC in the Arena District, we're talking about Polaris, er Germain Amphitheater.  The California based Owners say the amphitheater land is too valuable for concerts. 

Growing up Back in the day, Blossom Music Center outside of Akron was one of the few places to see big name shows outside of an indoor arena.  It's usually nice to sit out on the lawn of a music amphitheater and soak in the concert experience and the ambiance of the fans of whichever band you're seeing.  While I've never been a fan of the beer prices at Germain, I'm surprised to hear that Los Angeles-based Live Nation says it has hired the C-B Richard Ellis real estate firm to find a buyer for the Amphitheater after the 2007 season.  Polaris not built up enough?  They're going to have to widen that I-71 North off ramp to about 15 lanes.

Apparently, Chief Executive Michael Rapino hinted at this when he told investors in November that amphitheaters in smaller markets may be sold and that the company is looking to operate venues in the top 25 markets, instead of its current 47.  This alarms because Columbus wouldn't be considered a top 25 market?? Maybe because the season can't be year-round?

I was very surprised to read that so called "local real estate brokers" say the land could be sold for retail development at more than 500-hundred-thousand dollars an acre. Geez Louise, sell baby sell! It was bought in 1993 for 50-thousand-dollars an acre.  Where will the annual Ratt/Poison tour stop now?