On Monday, the City of Richmond’s Planning Commission voted in favor of Venture Richmond’s theater proposal, despite strong opposition by the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, preservationists, and other interested parties.

Excerpt from what OHNA President Jennifer Hancock said at the meeting:

Venture Richmond is using the threat of losing the Folk Festival as a stick to beat the residents of Richmond into agreeing to a plan that many of us have serious reservations about. As the closest neighborhood to the amphitheater, Oregon Hill will be the neighborhood most impacted by the project. Neighbors have already expressed concerns about increases in traffic and noise, and the impact on already limited parking. We have asked for, but not received, an agreement describing yearly limits on the number of events and night-time curfews for evening events.