Determined to finish what it started, the Richfield City Council has committed another $75,000 to a controversial project to build a band shell in Veterans Memorial Park, bringing the city's investment in the project to $325,000.
The council's move came on a split 3-2 vote as plans for the $1 million to $1.2 million project were scaled back. Band shell supporters said they could not meet a $750,000 fundraising goal, and the project budget is now set at $400,000.
Resident opposition to the band shell has been mounting. More than 700 people have signed an online petition against the project, and several residents voiced concerns at a recent council meeting.
"We the majority who disapprove of further development at Veterans Memorial Park urge you to please retain the open space at our park," said Birgit Johnson. "We believe it needs proper maintenance and upkeep, not more amenities."
Carol Propotnik told the council she walked the July 4th Richfield parade route with an anti-band shell sign and did not receive a single negative comment.
"I firmly believe that as elected officials, this is not a vote-getting proposition and you are not on the winning side," she said. "Why take even more green space to pour concrete?"
Music lovers in Richfield have long pined for a band shell. The city's summer music programs now rotate from park to park, with musicians usually perched on chairs on open concrete slabs. But opponents say a band shell isn't needed when a performance space is already part of the redevelopment at Lyndale Gardens. And they say Veterans Memorial Park, a birding hot spot, doesn't need more development.
Rick Jabs, chairman of the city's band shell task force, said the performance area at Lyndale Gardens will be a platform, not a stage, and that the city would be charged for its use.