GOOD FOR SPRINGFIELD
Is this (new approach to downtown events) part of the mayor's plan to create a "better community, better development and better infrastructure for a better Springfield?" The festivals are much bigger than locals going downtown and hanging out ("Downtown's festival dilemma," July 25). Wouldn't that be something that business promoters would use to attract new businesses and young families?
Marie Carnes
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
NOT THE CITY'S FAULT
The city doesn't "charge" event organizers anything. Yes, you have to get some permits to close streets and serve alcohol. Yes, you have to have insurance. There are a few other requirements, depending on your event and location, but it's not the city that is making anything difficult.
Jay Shan
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
PLAN NOW FOR END OF LEVITT I love the Levitt AMP music series! I was honored to be in one of the stage acts last year and have attended every show since it started. It's a wonderful experience for the local entertainers as well as the audience.
It's doing well now, but you have to understand the Levitt AMP program is not forever. AMP is created to start local movements for community music events in one set of towns, and then move on to do the same in other towns. When its funding runs out, you're expected to continue the work yourselves. Springfield has a poor track record of that kind of follow-through.
The Levitt AMP organization is a "spend-down" endowment, not a permanent fund. The total amount of money in the fund is finite and dwindles yearly (by design) until it closes down. When the AMP money runs out, the city needs to have a new funding source in place to keep the magic going, or find more sponsors than they have now.
I fear though, based on this article, that the city will just walk away from the series when the AMP funding runs out, and that would be a real shame, considering the great momentum the series has built, the community goodwill it's formed and the goal it has of uniting and connecting a diverse community in an event that welcomes everyone.
Start an AMP continuation fund, the sooner the better, so it's ready to maintain continuity. The article shows all these event entrepreneurs put a lot of effort into giving their events momentum year to year, but they lack city support. These aren't costs to be avoided, but rather, investments in tourism and downtown growth, drawing in new businesses and folks wanting to raise families here.
Mark Suszko
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
ALREADY THINKING ABOUT IT
The Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation is the receiving organization for the Levitt AMP grant, which is a matching grant. Our small but mighty committee of volunteers goes out and raises tens of thousands of dollars for businesses and organizations that like the event and see it's impact on the community. We extend a big "thank you" to them for making the series happen and continue to grow.
We have one season left on our current agreement, then may have an option for an extension. In the meantime, there are discussions going on about what a downtown concert series could look like beyond Levitt's involvement.
We appreciate all of the work the volunteers do, and the community for coming out.
Scott Troehler
Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation
GO DOWNTOWN
For those who crap on downtown, when is the last time you bothered to go? I'm there quite often visiting shops and restaurants, going to the farmers market and holiday walks, going to the Route 66 car show, seeing a show at the Hoogland, sometimes just revisiting the historic sites.
One of the biggest problems with Springfield is that everyone complains there's nothing to do. So you give them something to do and they won't support it. And I don't want to hear, 'it costs too much." Everyone seems to find money to go to St. Louis or Chicago.
Ruth Mounce