Few Nashvillians shed tears when Starwood Amphitheater, the city's summer home for aging rock acts and megabuck beer, closed in 2006. But the lack of a shed has been cited as a key reason many arena-level touring bands bypass Music City. A new amphitheater is now on the drafting table — just not the downtown one that some have proposed. From Joey Garrison in the CP:
Metro is considering amending the specific plan for the 65-acre former Starwood Amphitheatre property fronting Murfreesboro Pike — a move that could pave the way for the emergence of a smaller live music venue at the site. At-large Councilman Jerry Maynard is sponsoring a bill that would allow previously approved uses associated with Starwood Amphitheatre to be temporarily permitted. After Starwood —— which had a 17,000-guest capacity, seating and lawn included —— closed in 2006, zoning of the Antioch-area property was converted to accommodate a proposed mixed-use development. But the project never materialized.Maynard’s ordinance cleared the first of three votes at Tuesday’s council meeting. The bill has been referred to the Metro Planning Commission, which is set to consider the amendment on Thursday. The planning department’s staff has recommended approval, with the condition that a potential amphitheater be limited to 5,000 seats to ensure traffic doesn’t exceed the level Starwood concerts generated in the past.
