BLUEFIELD —
City officials said Tuesday they are working against a very limited time frame to reschedule the Second Chance Rocks the Two Virginias concert.
The ongoing construction project aimed at making Mitchell Stadium compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act isn’t scheduled for completion until Aug. 16. That leaves just a week to reschedule the country music concert before the Aug. 24 Beaver vs.Graham football game, according to Acting City Managing Brian Cochran.
A powerful windstorm that knocked out electricity to a half million Appalachian Power customers across West Virginia and Virginia forced the cancellation of the concert last month before headliners Eric Church and Jake Owen were able to perform. Thousands were evacuated from Mitchell Stadium minutes before the powerful storm hit.
Owen and Church have agreed to return to Bluefield to finish the concert. Second Chance Learning Center Executive Director Erik Robinson is now working with Owen and Church, and the city, to set a rescheduled date for the concert.
“We are on a very tight time frame to complete that construction inside of the facility,” Cochran said. “We are working with the Second Chance people. They are still working to get dates that are good for their people and the city.”
Cochran said the city hopes to have the ADA compliance project completed on schedule.
A complaint filed by a concerned citizen several years ago led to an investigation by the Department of Justice, and a subsequent order by the federal agency to make the city-owned stadium compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The city is required to complete the project this summer.
Robinson is encouraging those fans who had attend the shortened concert on June 29 to keep their tickets. The remaining concert tickets are expected to go on sale soon.
In other action Tuesday, the board agreed to begin placing dirt and grass seed at the site of the recently demolished Princeton Avenue Parking Garage.
Cochran said Gail Satterfield, and members of the Bluefield Beautification Commission, will be asked to help with beautifying the site. The grassy area is expected to be only temporary. The city is hoping that a prospective business or industry may purchase the site. In the future, the site also could become a part of the proposed Colonial Intermodal Center if additional federal funds become available to develop the project.
Cochran said additional parking spaces also could be added to the site if needed in the future.
Cochran also reminded area business owners, and city residents, of an information meeting scheduled for today at 2:30 p.m. at the board’s regular meeting room at city hall to discuss the planned demolition of the Scott Street Parking Garage.
“We’ve gotten out public notices to all of our business owners and citizens,” Cochran said. “It is something to give them information to prepare them for what we are going to do.”
Cochran said the decision to demolish the parking garage has already been made. The purpose of today’s meeting is to simply inform the public of the demolition project, and answer any questions citizens and business owners may have.
In other business, the board also approved a concession agreement for Mitchell Stadium that will allow the band boosters at both Bluefield High School and Graham High School to utilize the facility for fundraisers. Cochran said the city receives 20 percent of the proceeds raised as part of the agreement. Two years ago, that equaled to $14,000, although the revenue was down slightly last year.
In other business, board member Deb Sarver said it is important for residents to remember that city code requires proper shelter, as well as food and water, be provided to animals. She said the recent heat wave has been difficult on animals as well.
Board member Mary Frances Brammer urged city residents also to check on their neighbors, particularly those who are elderly. “If you know someone who hasn’t been seen in a while please check on them,” Brammer said. Brammer also applauded Dallas Fowler and the city’s street department crews for a long-awaited demolition project on Sussex Street, and road repair project on Monroe Street.
In other action, Art Riley, head of the Downtown Merchants Association, thanked Brammer and members of her Energy Express team for bringing cold water to the past two Downtown Chicory Square concert performances. Temperatures climbed into the mid 90s for the past two concerts sponsored by the Daily Telegraph.
Riley also reminded area residents of the upcoming Downtown Street Fair, which will be held this year on Aug. 3 and 4. Jim Bailey, who spoke on behalf of the 44th annual Blue Grey Horse Show, said the popular event is returning to Lotito Park on July 19-21 with equestrian riders from six different states. Bailey said proceeds from the popular event benefit the Shriner’s Children Hospital fund.
Mayor Linda Whalen also reminded area baseball fans of the upcoming “Hatfield versus McCoy’s Night” at Bowen Field for the Bluefield Blue Jays contest July 17 against the Princeton Rays.
— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
Local News
July 11, 2012
Officials working against tight time frame to give concert a second chance
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