Kudos to the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, sort of. The
chamber’s board took a second vote on whether to rescind its
earlier vote to move the Friday Night Music Series from Second
Street, where it has been staged for the past 16 years
– to the Community and Cultural Center two blocks away.
Important to listen to all voices, but can’t please everyone
Kudos to the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, sort of. The chamber’s board took a second vote on whether to rescind its earlier vote to move the Friday Night Music Series from Second Street, where it has been staged for the past 16 years – to the Community and Cultural Center two blocks away.
And the results are in. Confirming the original vote, the series this year will move to the community center. That’s the good part. But even rethinking the vote was a mistake. The board originally weighed the pros and cons of moving the popular series and voted to move it. Taking a second vote because a vocal minority considered it a bad move was a bad move.
Public outcry results in second vote
The original decision was met with a public outcry as downtown merchants mounted the effort to return the series to Second Street. The same thing happened last year. The chamber voted to move the series, some downtown merchants disagreed, so the chamber rescinded the vote and allowed the series to remain at Second Street.
Last Monday, a group representing about 100 downtown property owners asked the chamber to keep the popular series where it’s been for 16 years. The group reasoned that since the chamber might use the Third Street Promenade’s stage once that project is completed next year, it makes little sense to move it to a new location for just one year. But all this was considered during the chamber’s first vote. A second vote makes the chamber appear wishy-washy. Make a decision and stick to it.
Let’s give the event a chance at the Community and Cultural Center. If it’s a terrible flop, it can always be moved back.
Why the move makes sense
First, the venue has an amphitheater and is a great environment for this weekly summer event.
Second, some downtown merchants decry the move, saying it takes the event out of downtown. They are wrong. The Community and Cultural Center is part of the downtown, as defined by the city’s Downtown Specific Plan.
Third, the venue gives the event the opportunity to grow. While about 100 to 150 people cram themselves onto Second Street, the new venue can easily accommodate 300 people with picnics spread out on blankets. Finally, the new venue has real restrooms, more room for dancing and plenty of parking.
Perhaps a few signs at the community center directing concert-goers to downtown, or flyers distributed by businesses advertising specials good for that night only, would help bring people to restaurants and shops.
