Opponents of Portland Live Nation concert venue make their case
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A big decision is currently being made at a Prosper Portland board meeting about a property near OMSI, which could end up as a Live Nation concert venue.
A city hearings officer originally approved the land use application for a developer to build a four-story concert hall that could hold up to 3,500 concertgoers. The site is now a vacant lot on Southeast Water Avenue between Water and Main Street.
Opponents like local nonprofit MusicPortland say it's not right that this sale is happening the day before the City Council is set to hear their appeal of permits for the project. The organization, which represents local musicians and venues, wants to stop the project.
They believe it would be bad for local musicians, claiming Live Nation venues elsewhere take away business from smaller locations and pressure local musicians to work with them.
While Live Nation denies this, MusicPortland says the public should be involved in this decision.
"This was supposed to be parking, office space and commercial industrial space for makers and artists. That's what was approved in the public process," said board member Jamie Dunphy, who is also running for a seat in City Council's District 1. "And it wasn't until 2022 that they pivoted when nobody needed office space and suddenly partnered with the largest monopoly in the music industry. There has been no public insight, no public input, and there are public dollars and public interests in this."
The U.S. Justice Department is suing Live Nation - the parent company of Ticketmaster - claiming it stifles competition and increases ticket prices. Oregon and Washington's Attorneys General have joined in that lawsuit. Live Nation disagrees that its a monopoly, stating that competition has eroded Ticketmaster's market share and profit.
On Thursday, the Portland city council will hear MusicPortland's appeal of the permits for the Live Nation project.