Oct 13, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 5 min read

For the first time since presenting a proposal to use the Great Meadows Amphitheater to the Fayette County commissioners, members of the firm that wants to turn the Wharton Township site into a movie production studio brought their case to the public Friday. Fayette County Commissioner Ronald M. Nehls hosted a public forum in which Fayette Films LLC members Jason Thomas and Uniontown attorney Ira B. Coldren Jr. were the featured speakers.

Most of the Fayette County residents who spoke were in favor of the project, while a neighboring property owner and others from outside the county spoke against it.

Nehls explained that the company wants to purchase the 6.1 acres that house the 1,500-seat outdoor theater, as well as 120-plus acres that surround the site.

Problems in executing the agreement have come about due to deed restrictions imposed by the state when the county obtained a grant to purchase the 120-acre parcel.

There are no restrictions on the 6.1 acres. Legislation is needed to lift the restrictions and allow for the lease or sale of the surrounding acreage.

Officials at neighboring Fort Necessity National Battlefield also have voiced concerns about the development. The county commissioners are working with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as well as the National Park Service, to satisfy everyone’s concerns and advance the project.

Nehls said that, despite the setbacks, most comments he has received have been “overwhelmingly positive” regarding the project. Commissioners Chairman Vincent A. Vicites and Sean M. Cavanagh, also support the endeavor.

The company wants to use the amphitheater for shows and produce several movies a year. One of the proposed events at the site is a month of opera in the summer.

Fayette Films also plans to build backlots, and most of the construction will be done in areas not visible from Fort Necessity, said Thomas, a Wyoming-based writer and film producer.

Thomas said he first visited the county a year ago and was instantly interested. He said that he later recruited veteran movie producer Doris Keating-Schlesinger and her billionaire husband, Barry Schlesinger, for the project. Thomas said he has experience with operating amphitheaters, and “for a movie company, downtown Uniontown is heaven.”

However, Thomas said the asking price of the property continues to increase and is now up to $720,000. In response to concerns about use of the site, Thomas said, “We want to use the amphitheater as an amphitheater.” He said concerns about the making of pornographic films at the site are unfounded, as he has never done pornography and never will.

Thomas said that at first he thought Fort Necessity would be Fayette Films’ greatest ally, but he quickly learned otherwise. He said some requests from the National Park Service voiced through Fort Necessity superintendent Joanne Hanley are unacceptable. He said an initial request of limiting structure heights to 60 feet is fine, but limiting building height to 30 feet is not acceptable. Also, Thomas said a request that no sign be placed in front of the entrance is not reasonable.

He said Fayette Films doesn’t want to see Fort Necessity any more than Fort Necessity wants to see them, and the two sites should complement each other with regards to tourists.

“We’re a half-a-day attraction; they’re a half-a-day attraction,” he said.

Thomas also mentioned that Schlesinger wants to develop downtown Uniontown into an eastern version of Branson, Mo., with theaters and shops on a Main Street closed to traffic. He said the entire project could produce hundreds of full-time jobs, but time is of the essence.

Coldren said the project has been “something of an ordeal,” noting that the major obstacle is the fact that the amphitheater is next to Fort Necessity, which is “afraid of competition.”

However, he pointed out that there is a very large hill between the park and amphitheater.

“This nonsense that we’re imposing on Fort Necessity has no factual basis,” Coldren said.

He added that George Washington, who built the fort and surrendered in a battle during the French and Indian War, would be excited about the prospects of making something of the county 250 years later. He said the company provides for local people to invest and share in its profitability.

“I hope we get a solution in the near future,” Coldren said.

Dolores Irey, who lives across from the site, said the project is a “disgrace and insult to what Fort Necessity stands for.”

When Irey expressed concern about preserving the integrity of Braddock’s Trail, Thomas said he would be interested in preserving it as well.

In response to questions from Dr. Walter Powell of Greensburg, Nehls said the project fits in with the county’s plans for future growth.

Connellsville businessman Fritz Rulli said he supports the project but believes Fayette Films should provide more information about what is proposed.

He said the historical value of Fort Necessity and the movie-making operation should be able to coincide.

“I see no reason why we can’t have both. We have too many radicals,” he said.

Vicites said if something isn’t done at the site, it will deteriorate. He said he wants to work to ensure that the company will enhance tourism efforts and be good neighbors.

“We need to make something happen up there,” he said. “It’s millions of dollars of private investment we wouldn’t have had in the county.”

Vicites said he, Nehls and Thomas met Friday with county solicitor Joseph E. Ferens Jr. to review the proposed document from DCNR, and a revised copy should be sent to the state agency next week.

Noting that he is hopeful the project will come to fruition very soon, Vicites said DCNR is calling for a solution to allow Fort Necessity to purchase property close to the Braddock Trail while leasing or selling the remaining 80 or 90 acres to Fayette Films.

Anyone wishing to express support or opposition to the project is urged to contact his or her state representative or senator.