Starting second drama before first plays out
Fayette Films LLC would be wise to finish out the Drama over the Mountain before starting the sequel to follow for the Streets of Uniontown. Jason Thomas and Uniontown attorney Ira B. Coldren Jr., both principals in Fayette Films, appeared Friday at the Holiday Inn for a one-time performance before members of the community. They were there to let the public know what they plan to do with the Great Meadows Amphitheater and surrounding acreage. Despite objections by Fort Necessity Battlefield superintendent Joanne Hanley and a handful of protectionists worried that a Hollywood-style venture will sully the historic grounds, the county commissioners are ready, willing (but not at this point able) to sell or lease the land to Fayette Films. Deed restrictions imposed by the state prohibiting all but the most passive of activities must be lifted.
There appears to be some negotiations taking place behind the scene with Fort Necessity asking for height limitations on Fayette Films sets and a large buffer zone to keep the glitz from mingling with the pristine.
This is all for the better. There shouldn’t be any reason the two activities can’t coincide on a mountain. Stranger mixes already set examples as the plush Nemacolin Woodlands that focuses on the moneyed practically abuts the county’s humblest of communities of the Bruderhof.
But this is an issue now that must be negotiated with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (that will decide if the deed restrictions should be lifted) and the General Assembly (which would need to do the lifting).
All of this needs settled first. Fayette Films needs to not only talk the talk as Thomas and Coldren did during the public forum but walk the walk by showing it is a good neighbor, has the financial backing to carry out its plans and isn’t just selling a dream.
This is especially important as Thomas periodically hints at his vision for Uniontown.
He sees a perfect setting for films with a Main Street closed to traffic and lined with shops and theaters. It’s one thing to propose to take long-dormant acreage and put it to profitable use as Fayette Films is suggesting with the mountain parcel.
With safeguards in place, not much harm can be done.
It’s far different to suggest taking over a city, even a struggling one such as Uniontown. If this is Fayette Film’s intent then the company needs to take its plans before the city’s planning commission rather than make vague comments that hundreds of jobs will be created. The believability of those plans can best be judged by the way Fayette Films handles the amphitheater project.