2008-04-24  MORE TOP STORIES |
Amphitheatre in Alpharetta opens May 10
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| by Bob Pepalis | |
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| | | (SPECIAL/www.northfulton.com)
The Alpharetta High School Symphony Orchestra performs twice at the new amphitheatre in the month of May, once during an open house and again at graduation. (click for larger version) | |
April 30, 2008
ALPHARETTA -- After spending years working on community support and searching for an operator to build an amphitheater in North Fulton, Mike Nixon can't wait for the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park to open.
Nixon, who headed the committee tasked with realizing the dream of the late Bob Fulton, former Fulton County Commissioner, and others, said there will be nothing like it in all of North Metro Atlanta.
"It's pretty great, a phenomenal thing for the North Fulton area," he said. "It exceeded our hopes and expectations."
Nixon said the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Woodruff Arts Foundation and its contractors have done a great job on the amphitheater.
"People should be real proud of their first real significant arts venue," he said.
Brandon Beach, president of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and a fellow member of that committee, said the amphitheatre is going to bring the community together.
"First off, it's an amenity that is just great for the citizens of North Fulton. From the business standpoint, it's a great economic development tool," he said.
The view from the ASO's side is just as bright.
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park began as a dream by the community and for the community, something that Don Fox, chief financial officer for the ASO, said remains part of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's goals.
He said a relationship exists between the community and the amphitheater, and the community and the ASO.
When the late Commissioner Bob Fulton and others embarked down this path, imagining a performing arts facility, it was with the community in mind, he said.
The North Fulton resident said an unbelievable amount of hard work took place over the past 18 months to get the venue ready for performances, with dedication shown by workers ranging from architects to project managers.
The caliber of acts booked at the amphitheater shows a tremendous amount of excitement in the artists' community for the venue, Fox said.
"In fact, the Eagles opening their world tour here, certainly makes a statement about the kind of building we have created," Fox said.
At concert time, the work continues by the community, he said. Alpharetta, the Ga. Department of Transportation and ASO staff have been proactive in developing a comprehensive traffic management plan. He singled out Alpharetta Master Police Officer Rob Wessell, who is in charge of arranging police coverage and traffic routing.
- www.northfulton.com
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Reader Comments
These are our reader's opinions and thoughts.The opinions on this site are posted by our readers, and are not edited by Appen Inc.
Another night of unwanted noise
July 20, 2008 | 10:44 PM
Close it down, shut it down, picket the place. Until the noise is contained, the amphitheatre is nothing more than a nuisance to many folks, including nearly everyone in Barrington Farms in Roswell, which is 1.5 miles away (as the crow flies). I've had Roswell Police stand in my driveway and tell me that since the noise source is in Alpharetta, there is nothing they can do. I've had Alpharetta Police stand in my driveway and tell me that the decibel rating "at the Amphitheatre property line" is within noise ordinance guidelines. Phooey - if a neighbor in my subdivision was creating that much of a noise nuisance, they'd be knocking on his door telling him to shut it off or go to jail. And, I GUARANTEE if Mayor Letchas' house was getting this kind of noise nuisance, it'd be turned down in a hearbeat.
J. Ferguson
Another Disturbing Night Of Loud Music
July 09, 2008 | 11:03 PM
I live in the Summerfield Development off of Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta. My windows are closed, my central air conditioner is on, my TV is on and I can hear the Tom Petty concert in the shower.
It is beyond my comprehension that this disturbance is allowed to continue. It's seems our local government officials have sold out the citizens of Alpharetta by not enforcing any noise ordinances.
I would like to start a petition to close the Amphitheatre until they construct the proper noise deafening walls.
Please let me know if you feel the same way.
Respectfully,
Joe Wargo
Great facility
May 21, 2008 | 11:27 PM
The final concert by the Eagles last night was wonderfu! The night started bad with the weather but I am glad the show went on. To the folks complaining about the noise you could always move or get earplugs if you dont like it. This facility was a wonderful addition to our community and the concerts are not every night!
dawn
WAY TOO LOUD
May 21, 2008 | 09:47 PM
I live in Barrington Farms in Roswell. I drove to the new amphitheatre today. It is 7.4 mi from my house. I got listen to a free concert last night - whether I wanted to or not. I could clearly hear the music as well as feel it. My kids were awoken with the noise - I couldn't fall asleep ... it went on until 11:45 p.m.. I have new windows - great insulation - and I couldn't get over how loud it was. I actually called the Alpharetta Police Department - at 11:00 p.m. and they said they had rec'd over 400 complaint calls.
I can not believe there are not noise ordinance laws in place. I understand that it was probably delayed due to the bad storms - let's hope this isn't the norm.
Just wanted to say my peace
Mark Walsh
The noise disturbed us as well
May 21, 2008 | 09:40 PM
I also live off Old Alabama road. My children were trying to sleep and couldn't because of the noise from the Eagle's concert miles away. Why are concerts like that excempt from noise regulations? It doesn't seem right to me to disturb an entire community for a concert late at night. I like the idea of an amphitheatre and think it is wonderful addition to the community. However, people who choose to stay at home instead of attending every concert should not have to be disturbed by it. Couldn't they tone the volume down?
Valerie Gotschall
Eagles
May 21, 2008 | 12:35 PM
Wow. Amazing. Can't believe that Alpharetta has such a wonderful facility. Of course Roswell declined to participate in bringing the amphitheater to North Fulton. Figures
.
It's audible in neighborhoods miles away
May 20, 2008 | 11:32 PM
I live off Old Alabama in a subdivision. The Ampitheater has a show that is shaking my house at 11:00 tonight. I work early. I called the police and was told it is the ampitheater and that they have had many complaints. Didn't the designers think about noise regulations?
Eric
QUEEN of ALPHARETTA
May 13, 2008 | 02:14 PM
Awesome Alpharetta - I'm GLAD!
BEAUTIFUL ONE
May 09, 2008 | 04:48 PM
Tom,
I'll take a compliment when I can get it. The amphitheater is going to be alot of fun for all us.
Thanks Penn
Penn Hodge
Very Interesting
May 09, 2008 | 10:23 AM
Interesting how somebody can spend months trying to disrupt a man's business and then when they fail miserably, they get all complimentary, like nothing ever happened.
You know what you can do with your olive branch.
Business Man
