It may be just me but I think the county could really use an Amphitheater like the Nissan Pavillion. Why not use the existing Grandstand at the Fairgrounds for something like this? Or how about one of the two pieces of farm land at the intersection of 40 and 70. There would only be traffic after events. It would bring in tourism and increase hotel occupancy to the local areas. Just an idea and trying to start a new topic of discussion.

An excellent and long overdue idea. The theater tries to attract good shows, but I think an ampitheater venue would be beneficial to the area. I know there is one on the campus of HCC, but I'm not sure how many it holds, or wha the process would be to book acts.

This is a great idea. However, the City Council does like a few thousand people in the downtown so they would hate more anywhere else. The fairgrounds is such a great place and the city has done a good job there. But is it has soooooo much more potential.

Sure, let's just move the metro area into Washington County. Whittle away some more at that remaining 49% farmland.

I live here so I don't have to deal with the metropolitan congestion. If I want to see a headline act it's no big deal to travel 70 miles or so to see it.

There's already been some under the radar discussion about this.

Discussion about turning grandstand into amphitheater?

About an amphitheater, and yeah, the Fairgrounds has been mentioned but I don't see that happening.

I actually like the idea... IF it can be done at an area that is already existing commercial land/building - i.e. Fairgrounds. But, I have to agree with A51 - please don't take any more of our land!

Like the idea too. Bands and other entertainment acts usually do have contracts with promoters to not play or perform in a certain radius of their scheduled venue... and usually its 60 miles or less, that puts Hagerstown in the right spot for a large venue (not to mention the interstates).
I am not the authority on the location of such a venue but I always like to see existing sites being utilized to their fullest. My vote would be the Fairgrounds if the surrounding roads can handle the traffic both to and from.
Pier 6 in Baltimore is a beutiful outdoor ampitheatre.

I would like to see the Fairgrounds too, but unless there were some sort of overpass off of 40, which would be an enormous and insanely expensive project, I don't see it happening. It would be a logistical nightmare to get in and out of as it is, plus, I don't think there is room for parking. You also have a ton of residents that would complain, not to mention, the not-so-progressive city council. Maybe you can talk to Don about this and work something out somewhere in the county.

Like I said I am all for an idea like this. Logistically there is a lot to look at though, as there is with any entertainment sight. I just hope if it does happen they don't serve alcohol!! LOL just kidding

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children?!?!?!?!?

Here is a wild idea. The Fairgrounds sounds good, but I suspect that a feasibility study would show it wouldn't work.

The Suns seem to be drawing reasonably well. In my opinion, they are a real asset to the community. However, in the absence of a long-overdue new stadium the team will likely leave town in the near future. Why not create a multi-use performance venue with a stadium. Combined infrastructure and parking.

In this case the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) could be involved and bring to Washington County those $ that always seem to go to Baltimore, Montgomery, Prince Georges, and Anne Arundel.

I know that at one time, Mandalay Entertainment was willing to put in some $.

Heck if it were incorporated with a development ...like Petrie Ross...there would be no need for public funds, at all. The County could create a special property tax district in order to pay for infrastructure improvements such as grading, roads, parking, utilities, etc. All occupants of the tax district would benefit from the proximity, sharing of facilities, and thus pay an added property tax. I think a creatively designed multi-use venue like this would be exciting and a real boon to our community.

I know the knee jerk reaction in this community is against a stadium. However, I suspect it is against it because there is a sense that City and/or County would have to build it. Not true. If there are no City/County funds wouldn't it make sense to
consider it.

Actually DH, a few years ago there was a study done about the area including the present hospital site (and what to do after they move), the stadium, the Venice Inn site, and how to redevelop that area into a travel and tourism/ convention center type developement. I brought this exact same question up in a different thread a few months back. Now, I'm not sure what ever happend to those plans, perhaps Mayor Bob and even Kid could shed some light on this.

Nissan Pavillion isn't it a big city, its in VA and there is hardly anything around it. So the analogy of theater and metro area doesn't work here. If you are trying to say that it will draw too many people into the city, that's why you build it on the outskirts of the city, off a highway, then you have no problems.

Personally I don't want a theater, I don't want another mall, I don't want downtown to be special looking, I want a place to get a job, it's horrible here, people straight out of college working at Sheetz...

About 600 for HCC. I like the idea of the fairground. Saw the Beach Boys there years ago and that was one great concert.

I'm for a new multi-use stadium. I like your property tax district idea, but I can already vision the articles in the paper and grumbling that this would stir up, and understandably so... I can see it from both sides. With the stadium, I'd like to get a good ball team. I'm not talking about a group of glorified Colt League All Stars. I want a professional baseball team. Finally, I think it would have to be built on the outskirts of town for traffic reasons, and so that some council members can't meddle in the affairs.


Ah, see, that's why you need these things... to lure good employers to the area. You need something to offer them to get them even interested in expanding into another city. What would you tell Steve Jobs is a good reason to open an Apple headquarters here? We have a Super Wal-Mart? No. You need retail, entertainment, restaurants, professional services and you needs lots of it. And, interestingly enough, some of the most favorable cities in the US have created downtown destinations that people go to to live, work and entertain themselves. So yeah, you should want all of that stuff because that attracts businesses that open doors and create opportunities.

I enjoyed a show at the HCC Amphitheater. It was a long time ago.

If traffic and the related infrastructure could be addressed, an amphitheater venue would be one of many options to consider. I would imagine feasibility studies have already occurred on these types of projects to determine the viability. Potential traffic probably indicates the need to be in more remote section of the county, near the interstate. I see barriers to this type of concept in the city of Hagerstown, due to the traffic flow.

It would be interesting to assess the potential in the county. It would still bring in people into the area. They would in turn learn of the downtown. It would also tie into the broader area; giving a sample of our outdoor recreation and natural resources.

Since I have only been a resident for the past 10 years. Could people provide insight on how the fairgrounds were used as horseracing, county fairs, concerts, ect... I have heard we could not do large things at the fairground without upgrades to roads. I have looked around and I don't believe that a new road or house has been built around the fairgrounds with exception of townhouse on otherside. So since nothing has really changed as in residence and roads why would it not work now and why did it work then???

Bump

Mayor Bob? Any response to this yet?

1.- It worked back then because the city didn`t own the Fair Grounds. Also the traffic isn`t what it is today.
2:- Old money ran this town back then and the council was part of the old money.
The city has it right where they want it now. In there control. There will not be any large entertainment going on other than the fire works at the fair ground. Unless Penny moves off of Mulberry st. She lives to close to the fair grounds for anything to happen where people will have a good time.

How true, very sad, but true.

I remember that a carnival used to be held there every year, maybe it still is.

I am not sure how I feel about this. I was in White Lake New York this weekend and saw Tony Bennett at Bethel Woods. That venue is very far outside of NYC. It is the site of the first Woodstock. The site sat undeveloped until about 2003, and is still deep in the heart of a somewhat economically depressed farming community. The economy up there is aided by weekenders from New York City. It reminds me of western Maryland to some degree.

I have also attended some really great, and well planned events at small venues around PA. A couple years ago I went to a very small event hosted at a home that featured Robbin Thompson (he played w/ Springsteen for a short time). That was the best show I have seen in years. I used to go to the Birchmere in Alexandria years ago, saw many great shows there.

Sometimes the smallest venues yield real jewels.

Ahh yes the Great Hagerstown Fair. Nope hasn't happened in years. We've had the Ag Expo for a while now, but this is the first year that it's had amusement rides and been more like a fair. I wish that Hagerstown/WashCo. could model something after the York Fair and/or the Frederick Fair. Good rides, good food, a focus on agriculture and GREAT SHOWS!!! Oh wait, that would be yet another good thing for the area, nevermind.