Lawmakers have no plans for amphitheater legislation
Two local legislators say they have no plans to introduce legislation lifting the deed restrictions for land surrounding the Great Meadows Amphitheater. Fayette Films LLC wants the restrictions lifted so it can build a film studio on the property. Fort Necessity officials and others have opposed the move, claiming it could threaten the nearby historic facility.
“I’m not prepared to introduce legislation until all parties are satisfied,” Kasunic said. He said he is totally committed to protecting Fort Necessity and the tourism industry, noting that soon $4 million will be spent on a tourist information center at the park.
Kasunic added that he is disappointed that the officials from Fayette Films have been talking about ideas at the site for several months and still haven’t talked to him about their plans.
“If Roberts and I are to be relied upon I think we should be brought into the loop. I’m not going to sponsor legislation I know nothing about,” he said. Kasunic said he must be cautious in the event something unsavory occurs at the site.
“If I’m the key player, I would think they would pick up the phone and call me,” Kasunic said.
Roberts said he is also concerned with the protection of Fort Necessity. He said he still doesn’t have enough information to sponsor any type of legislation.
The Fayette County commissioners approved a lease with Fayette Films earlier this month to use the amphitheater and 6.1 acres. Now the county commissioners are turning their attention toward finding someone to sponsor legislation to lift deed restrictions on the remaining 120-plus acres.
Meanwhile, Larry Williamson from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which must approve any such legislation before the governor signs it, said he is going to arrange a meeting to get the parties together.
Currently, the 120-plus acres that surround the Wharton Township amphitheater are owned by the county and are limited to recreation, conservation or historical use.
Commissioner Ronald M. Nehls was initially the strongest supporter for the project, but both chairman Vincent A. Vicites and commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh have backed the project as it progressed.
Among those on the list for the meeting Williamson is arranging in Harrisburg are Roberts, Kasunic, the three county commissioners and representatives from the National Park Service regarding the interests of neighboring Fort Necessity Battlefield.
Williamson said he is hoping to set up a meeting before the end of the year.
He said the purpose of inviting the legislators is to “let them see if they want to take the lead.”
In getting a lease signed with Fayette Films for the initial 6.1 acres that include the 1,500-seat outdoor amphitheater, Williamson said it has taken a lot of meetings and discussions. If and when legislation is proposed and adopted depends on if a legislator is willing to step up to the plate.
Kasunic said he has received more than a dozen letters and telephone calls from people on the issue, and all have been opposed to doing anything at the site. Of those letters, one was received from millionaire philanthropist Robert Eberly.
The senator said he has heard about the meeting with Williamson and plans to attend, but he is not prepared to introduce legislation any time soon, if at all.
He said he is “open minded and will listen to everybody” but he has no legislation prepared and with only a few days left in the legislative session this year there is no time to approve it anyway.
During a public forum held at the Uniontown Holiday Inn last month, Fayette Films president Jason Thomas said the company plans to use the amphitheater for shows and wants to produce several family-friendly films per year.
He also expressed a desire to work with Fort Necessity officials to preserve the Braddock Trail and draw in tourists.
Roberts also acknowledged that he is aware of a meeting in the works regarding the project and plans to attend. He said he has received some feedback regarding the project, and noted that it has been more negative then positive.
However, Roberts said he was pleased to see the lease signed for the amphitheater site. He was involved with legislative action last year to turn the amphitheater over to the county.
Williamson estimated that once legislation is introduced, it can take two to six months for final approval from the governor.
Although Fayette Films has expressed a desire to use all the property, Williamson said one of the options is still keeping a chunk as open space. However, he said at some point Fayette Films will have to be brought into the mix to express their desires.
“Before that, the county will have to act on their behalf,” Williamson said.
Nehls has repeatedly said that the project could potentially bring in millions of dollars to the county. Concerns regarding building height and site lines expressed by Fort Necessity officials have been addressed in the initial lease and would be addressed in any future leases.
The county must have the deed restrictions lifted before any development can occur on the site because it could face fines of more than $900,000. The Wharton Township planning and zoning boards have already approved zoning changes that would allow the development to occur.