Commissioners sign amphitheater lease
With a boom box blaring the music of “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” behind him, Fayette County commissioner Ronald M. Nehls proclaimed Wednesday that the amphitheater lease is a done deal. Following months of negotiations, Nehls said that all three of the county commissioners have signed a lease with Fayette Films LLC for use of 6.1 acres of the Wharton Township property that includes the Great Meadows Amphitheater.
Nehls said by signing the lease, the three commissioners have taken steps to bring economic development, tourism and millions of dollars into the county. Nehls raised the issue at the conclusion of the commissioners’ meeting.
Fayette Films plans to use the 1,500-seat outdoor amphitheater to show productions at the venue and also plans to set up a movie production studio and tourist attraction. Nehls said he spoke with Fayette Films president Jason Thomas Tuesday night after the deal was ironed out and Thomas was ecstatic.
“It will be the first movie production company in the state,” Nehls said.
When contacted Wednesday morning at his ranch in Wyoming, Thomas said he plans to sign the lease as soon as he receives it in the mail. He initially said he was at a loss for words because he didn’t think the deal would ever happen.
Despite recently getting an offer to purchase a script from a Hollywood firm, Thomas said he will most likely opt to not take the money and instead do the film in Fayette County.
“We’re going to try to do a film here,” he said. The film, “The Glitter Tree,” is about a little girl and her giant dog. Thomas said the film requires snow and will likely be filmed in January or February.
Thomas said he plans to cast mostly all local people for the film, including the 5-year-old lead character. The Christmas story centers on a kidnapped little girl who gets lost and an entire town gives up their holiday to search for her.
Thomas said he and another partner in Fayette Films, movie producer Doris Keating-Schlesinger, recently finalized negotiations on a new television series called “The Arabians” and plan to film instructional videotapes on the topic of training horses. Thomas said plans were gearing toward doing the productions in Hollywood, but the recent news changed that.
“I guess now they will be here,” he said.
Although the lease opens the door for Fayette Films to come into the county, work will still proceed to have the deed restrictions lifted on the remaining 121 acres.
“I want to be positive,” Thomas said. “But it’s important to get the deed restrictions lifted because we do need more property.”
While the county owns the entire 120-plus acres that include the amphitheater, decades-old deed restrictions limit the use on all the property except the 6.1 acres that include the amphitheater. The deed restrictions limit use on the other acreage to recreation, conservation or historical uses. In order for the county to lease the remaining acreage without facing fines of nearly $900,000, legislation must be passed to lift the deed restrictions.
As a means to that end, the county has involved Larry Williamson of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the negotiating process for the lease. Negotiations became necessary after Joanne Hanley, superintendent of neighboring Fort Necessity National Battlefield, voice opposition to the project.
Additionally, DCNR must approve the legislation lifting the deed restrictions before the governor signs them into law. Williamson previously said that it could take two to six months to have the restrictions lifted. If and when the property is unencumbered by deed restrictions, the county can lease the remaining acreage to Fayette Films.
Commission chairman Vincent A. Vicites said the project included a lot of detailed negotiations. He said he wanted to protect the county’s interests by involving DCNR because their help is invaluable to lifting the deed restrictions.
“We need to continue to move forward. We need the deed restrictions lifted,” Vicites said.
Commission Sean M. Cavanagh said all three of the commissioners worked hard on the project.
Thomas said he is already planning to hold “Old Time Mellerdramas” next summer and wants to produce a locally written musical that he hopes to market for Broadway.
For “The Glitter Tree,” Thomas said he plans to use the Stone House Inn for a scene and either downtown Uniontown or Hopwood for another scene.
“There’s a lot invested in this project already,” Thomas said. He said he had planned to do a Christmas event at the amphitheater using various churches but there isn’t time to schedule that now. “I’ll probably do it next year,” he said.
Thomas predicted that there will be an influx of people to the area when the studio gets up and running. He added that another partner, real estate mogul Barry Schlesinger, and his company are “dead serious” about revitalizing downtown Uniontown.
“Downtown areas are coming back,” he said.
Without the outlying acreage, Thomas said “business-wise,” Fayette Films is looking to develop an amphitheater and a very large right of way. He said they will bring in a few films but when they get the other film property, then it will be a big deal because work can begin on the sets and soundstages.
Thomas said it’s a shame the film company won’t be able to work with Fort Necessity to do historical projects. He said if Fort Necessity gets new management that wants to work with their neighbors, he would love to do something of a historical nature.
The lease includes terms of $3,400 per month for the first year and $6,600 per month for the remaining four years. The rent will increase by $2,500 per month for each extended lease term. Structures are limited to 50 feet in height. Once the deed restrictions are lifted, Fayette Films can lease the remaining acreage for $1,600 per month for the first year and $3,400 per month for the remaining four years, with increases similar to those on the initial property.
The county will give Fayette Films the option to purchase the property if certain conditions are met. Thomas said the cost is about $700,000 “for the whole deal.”