Shell Game
Williamson's battle of the bandshells
County proposes own entertainment complex as Cedar Park seeks amphitheater/ice rink
August 22, 2002
Kate Alexander and Laura Heinauer
Austin American-Statesman
Copyright 2002
CEDAR PARK -- Two proposed amphitheaters, both backed by political and financial muscle, are now on the drawing board for Williamson County. But only one is expected to survive.
County Commissioner Mike Heiligenstein unveiled plans this week for a county-owned outdoor entertainment complex -- including a 6,500-capacity amphitheater and a special- events facility for receptions and conferences -- along the new Brushy Creek Regional
Trail between Cedar Park and Round Rock. The project includes partnerships with Run-Tex owner Paul Carrozza and Tim O'Connor, owner of the Backyard outdoor music venue and Austin Music Hall.
At the same time, the City of Cedar Park has been negotiating with Southwest Sports Group, parent company of the Dallas Stars, to build a 7,500-seat amphitheater and an indoor ice arena big enough to house a minor-league hockey team. City officials plan to ask voters to approve money for the project in November, but the city's contribution to the projecthas not been determined. The cost of the ice rink alone has been estimated at $20 million.
The county's announcement pits two publicly funded venues against each other as they vie for the entertainment market in this rapidly growing county.
Charles Attal, an Austin concert booking agent who co-owns Stubbs, a restaurant and live music venue, said two venues similar in size and so close together would not work, particularly in such a tenuous market.
As it is, he said, the Austin area has seen a 25 percent drop in the music touring industry this year. "No way, not the same size -- they'd kill each other . . . especially with all the other competition in town," Attal said. "But I think there is a need for one up there with all the growth going on, and I think both of these companies have realized that."
Heiligenstein says the county government is not trying to undermine Cedar Park's plans, but he agrees that the two amphitheaters could not coexist.
"I think they ought to kill it," Heiligenstein said of the amphitheater component of Cedar Park's proposal. "It would jeopardize their entire (bond) package."
But Cedar Park officials are not backing down.
"I don't think this region could support two, so I guess the goal is to be first and to be better," said Robert Powers, Cedar Park's city manager.
Land in hand
If survival comes down to being first, the county is in the lead.
With 35 acres already purchased using money from a $25 million park bond package passed in 2000, the county would be ready to break ground on the special-events center in October should the Commissioners Court approve the plan, said Lisa England, the county's strategic planning consultant. The special-events center would open in March 2003, with the rest
following a year later.
Cedar Park is still looking for a site and has said it will seek voter approval to issue bonds to finance the project.
The county's park bonds allotted $3.5 million to create a facility at the trailhead of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. The trail will open in September, and the money will be used for the entertainment complex, Heiligenstein said.
In addition, Carrozza proposes building a running center at the site with showers and other amenities for trail users. Other proposed elements include a play area, much like the one at Zilker Park, and a smaller, open-air entertainment space with 500 seats.
Groves of oak trees run along a sloping field that ends at the bluffs that would back the county
amphitheater. Heiligenstein said any development would keep all of the trees and the bucolic setting.
"They want to keep it as natural as possible but still have all the customer and artist conveniences that are necessary to be successful," O'Connor said.
Heiligenstein said he did not anticipate having to ask voters for additional money beyond the $3.5 million already approved. O'Connor, however, acknowledged that the entire project could not be completed for that amount.
"It's great startup money," O'Connor said. But as for the total cost, "it's obviously well above $3.5 million."
O'Connor initially would serve as a consultant for concert booking and promotion, but his long-term financial involvement is not clear. The county and O'Connor have not finalized a contractual agreement.
Carrozza, who recently opened a Run-Tex store in Round Rock's La Frontera shopping center, was introduced to the idea by O'Connor. The two have worked together on several projects, including Willie Nelson's Farm Aid concert and run. Carrozza said Run-Tex would front the cost for the running center, which would be paid for by user fees.
Connections
Although the county may have a head start, Cedar Park officials say their project has more clout.
The proposed ice arena and amphitheater would be built and financed by the city but would be leased and operated by Southwest Sports Group, a company led by Tom Hicks. The Dallas financier is also vice chairman of Clear Channel Communications Inc., the radio and entertainment giant that has become the nation's leading concert promoter. Those connections make Cedar Park officials confident of their proposal's sustainability.
"The fact is, the people doing ours happen to coordinate all of the concerts in the country," said
Cedar Park Council Member Cory Shields. "In the end, if there's two, it's going to be a question if people want to go see Madonna, or somebody the local guys bring in."
Randy Locey, vice president of Southwest Sports Group's StarCenter operations, touts the benefits of having an amphitheater included with the ice arena.
"We think the synergy of the two pieces -- their joint parking capabilities and the nice trade-offs between the seasons when they will be most active -- are what makes our project more attractive as a whole," Locey said.
Cedar Park Mayor Bob Young hinted at a possible compromise between the city and county.
"I don't see this as a competitive thing," Young said. "What I really see is an opportunity for us to share our resources and work together."
kalexander@statesman.com
© 2002 Austin American-Statesman: www.statesman.com
County proposes own entertainment complex as Cedar Park seeks amphitheater/ice rink
August 22, 2002
Kate Alexander and Laura Heinauer
Austin American-Statesman
Copyright 2002
CEDAR PARK -- Two proposed amphitheaters, both backed by political and financial muscle, are now on the drawing board for Williamson County. But only one is expected to survive.
County Commissioner Mike Heiligenstein unveiled plans this week for a county-owned outdoor entertainment complex -- including a 6,500-capacity amphitheater and a special- events facility for receptions and conferences -- along the new Brushy Creek Regional
Trail between Cedar Park and Round Rock. The project includes partnerships with Run-Tex owner Paul Carrozza and Tim O'Connor, owner of the Backyard outdoor music venue and Austin Music Hall.
At the same time, the City of Cedar Park has been negotiating with Southwest Sports Group, parent company of the Dallas Stars, to build a 7,500-seat amphitheater and an indoor ice arena big enough to house a minor-league hockey team. City officials plan to ask voters to approve money for the project in November, but the city's contribution to the projecthas not been determined. The cost of the ice rink alone has been estimated at $20 million.
The county's announcement pits two publicly funded venues against each other as they vie for the entertainment market in this rapidly growing county.
Charles Attal, an Austin concert booking agent who co-owns Stubbs, a restaurant and live music venue, said two venues similar in size and so close together would not work, particularly in such a tenuous market.
As it is, he said, the Austin area has seen a 25 percent drop in the music touring industry this year. "No way, not the same size -- they'd kill each other . . . especially with all the other competition in town," Attal said. "But I think there is a need for one up there with all the growth going on, and I think both of these companies have realized that."
Heiligenstein says the county government is not trying to undermine Cedar Park's plans, but he agrees that the two amphitheaters could not coexist.
"I think they ought to kill it," Heiligenstein said of the amphitheater component of Cedar Park's proposal. "It would jeopardize their entire (bond) package."
But Cedar Park officials are not backing down.
"I don't think this region could support two, so I guess the goal is to be first and to be better," said Robert Powers, Cedar Park's city manager.
Land in hand
If survival comes down to being first, the county is in the lead.
With 35 acres already purchased using money from a $25 million park bond package passed in 2000, the county would be ready to break ground on the special-events center in October should the Commissioners Court approve the plan, said Lisa England, the county's strategic planning consultant. The special-events center would open in March 2003, with the rest
following a year later.
Cedar Park is still looking for a site and has said it will seek voter approval to issue bonds to finance the project.
The county's park bonds allotted $3.5 million to create a facility at the trailhead of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. The trail will open in September, and the money will be used for the entertainment complex, Heiligenstein said.
In addition, Carrozza proposes building a running center at the site with showers and other amenities for trail users. Other proposed elements include a play area, much like the one at Zilker Park, and a smaller, open-air entertainment space with 500 seats.
Groves of oak trees run along a sloping field that ends at the bluffs that would back the county
amphitheater. Heiligenstein said any development would keep all of the trees and the bucolic setting.
"They want to keep it as natural as possible but still have all the customer and artist conveniences that are necessary to be successful," O'Connor said.
Heiligenstein said he did not anticipate having to ask voters for additional money beyond the $3.5 million already approved. O'Connor, however, acknowledged that the entire project could not be completed for that amount.
"It's great startup money," O'Connor said. But as for the total cost, "it's obviously well above $3.5 million."
O'Connor initially would serve as a consultant for concert booking and promotion, but his long-term financial involvement is not clear. The county and O'Connor have not finalized a contractual agreement.
Carrozza, who recently opened a Run-Tex store in Round Rock's La Frontera shopping center, was introduced to the idea by O'Connor. The two have worked together on several projects, including Willie Nelson's Farm Aid concert and run. Carrozza said Run-Tex would front the cost for the running center, which would be paid for by user fees.
Connections
Although the county may have a head start, Cedar Park officials say their project has more clout.
The proposed ice arena and amphitheater would be built and financed by the city but would be leased and operated by Southwest Sports Group, a company led by Tom Hicks. The Dallas financier is also vice chairman of Clear Channel Communications Inc., the radio and entertainment giant that has become the nation's leading concert promoter. Those connections make Cedar Park officials confident of their proposal's sustainability.
"The fact is, the people doing ours happen to coordinate all of the concerts in the country," said
Cedar Park Council Member Cory Shields. "In the end, if there's two, it's going to be a question if people want to go see Madonna, or somebody the local guys bring in."
Randy Locey, vice president of Southwest Sports Group's StarCenter operations, touts the benefits of having an amphitheater included with the ice arena.
"We think the synergy of the two pieces -- their joint parking capabilities and the nice trade-offs between the seasons when they will be most active -- are what makes our project more attractive as a whole," Locey said.
Cedar Park Mayor Bob Young hinted at a possible compromise between the city and county.
"I don't see this as a competitive thing," Young said. "What I really see is an opportunity for us to share our resources and work together."
kalexander@statesman.com
© 2002 Austin American-Statesman:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Thursday, August 22, 2002
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