On Wednesday, a vital Sisters Community Forum will discuss and debate the merits of what has been coined Project Mozart, to bring a multi-use outdoor amphitheater to Sisters, giving citizens a better chance to listen to the pros and cons of this semi-controversial project.
The town meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 29 at 6:30pm at Sisters City Hall.
The project has drawn some local criticism suggesting lack of vision, impact on neighborhoods and even notions of food shortages to feed prospective concert-goers. Though this constituency of negativism is perceived to be small, it nevertheless puts a dark cloud over Project Mozart’s eventual reality, and may muddle the true scope of the city’s intent.
City Manager Andrew Gorayeb shared the conceptual artwork with Cascade Business News, designed by Chris Mayes of Mayes Architecture and Planning.
“They were done by a great local guy and we’re very pleased with the results,” he said. “For our projected cost figures, we did it the right way and had our city engineer do a series of construction cost estimates after receiving the preliminary design plans.”
The city delivered a $25,000 refundable deposit on 11.5 acres within the city limits for their amphitheater project. This property is located on the southwest corner of Locust Street and Barclay Drive, extending west to Larch Street and immediately north of Barclay Drive and west of the former Conklin House property.
Mayor Brad Boyd believes this is an excellent opportunity to vent and verbalize issues of concern within a structured environment of compromise and creativity.
“We’re hoping any people who want to be educated about the project will come down and hear about it,” Boyd said. “There’s been a lot of rumors and speculation about the new amphitheater and we want people to learn what we’re thinking and why we think this is an important project and how we’re going to address concerns that have been voiced.”
Those concerns center around increased traffic congestion, severe noise, food availability and lack of adequate parking.
“This will be a great time to have people come over and hear what the project is and isn’t about. I have no problem sitting down and talking to anyone about the future of Sisters and really look forward to Wednesday. There’s an opportunity cost to doing nothing, and this forum will enlighten our community in a positive, rational arena.”
Wednesday night’s meeting will be held in the City Hall council chambers.
Sisters City Hall is located at 520 E. Cascade Ave. 541-549-6022.
