Bill is assuming he represents all the neighbors.

Last week's attendance was probably kind of tepid because it was the same day as the free outdoor SAMMIES event in Cesar Chavez Plaza. Maybe they should have coordinated dates to avoid those kind of date conflicts, or maybe they could have saved a few bucks by not buying fireworks?

I'm not sure how anyone can claim to represent "all the neighbors." Anyone speaking on this issue is by definition speaking primarily for themselves, or for a selected group. I don't think that the 17 people, mostly local business owners and developer representatives, who came to the last NAG represented all the neighbors either--they certainly have a right to represent themselves, but characterizing them strictly as "neighborhood residents" is not exactly accurate.

The idea that neighborhoods don't want any events to happen is a fallacy. Last month the Midtown Neighborhood Association put on a live music event in Grant Park, and it was supported (and put on) by volunteers from neighborhood associations (and donations from local businesses, who supported it very well.) More are planned for upcoming months. Maybe if the folks at the Bloc can't make it happen, more neighborhood-sponsored events, with live music, are the answer?

Zen: Businesses are part of the community, and businesses are also partners with the neighborhood associations that put on public events at parks and in the neighborhood. Not everyone in a neighborhood joins their neighborhood association; they are voluntary organizations, and nobody is required to join, but even non-members are welcome at neighborhood association meetings, both to observe and participate. It is difficult to represent the opinion of someone who does not make their voice heard, but at least neighborhood groups represent the interests of people who live in the neighborhood who do speak up and show up. The main concern expressed by groups like MSNEPNA is that often NOBODY who lived in the neighborhood participated in the planning of these park events, and notification was scant or nonexistent, and thus EVERYONE who lived there was ignored, whether or not they belong to a neighborhood association.

An event planning group for Marshall Park is a great idea; it should be a collaboration between local businesses and neighborhood residents. An open group would address the concerns of neighbors (lack of notification and lack of input) but be inclusive of local business. In these dire budget times, perhaps public events in city parks can help to bring attention (and needed funds) to city park maintenance, since city staff layoffs and budget cuts have resulted in greatly reduced maintenance at city parks--including bathroom closures.

You hit it exactly William. There are local and regional parks. Regional events drawing thousands of people belong in regional parks. Events need to be rotated among parks. Grant Park neighbors held a very successful local event that they planned and implemented. Zen,were you able to attend?

There was a time in the not too distant past when businesses, residents and staff cooperated in holding street and park events. It began with Marshall Park being the setting for music and various retail sales and entertainment booths, planned by residents and businesses. Capitol Ave was the site of doodah parades and other fun events organized by residents with some business support there too. Zen, do you remember those?

The city initially objected strenuously--some businesses too--but after the events were held and were well controlled, attitudes changed. It is always better and fewer to no complaints are generated when there is a three way partnership between businesses, residents and city, but that has not been the city and some some business's approach the last few years. We need and support entertainment, so hopefully now, it will change back.

bill i spent years attempting to be a part of midtwon neighborhood assoc.and found myself and my then friend now wife on the odd side of the founding members for years, as we wanted to support development and business friendly events etc. as we believe healthy business equals a healthy city ($) ,, we tired and left i took my passion to Midtown business assoc. and then an entertaining mayoral run.. I now am engaged in getting residents involved ( btw, the 17 were all residents excluding paragary how dare you discount them or their opinions / motivations for being there) as usual you are deciding what you feel is right or wrong. let the residents speak if 2,000 locals show up to the bloc for an event or hell just go out to the clubs then they must like it....and further more if more suburbanites from other cities and counties bring their money to our city then good for us maybe it will keep a pool open or two .... and dale my friend, business has always been open to the neighbors ...There has been some bad behavior on the part of a few neighbors concerning the business owners rights and abilities to earn a living . & personally i feel the business owners both in the entertainment and development fields have been more than compliant/ tolerant throughout the years.. Time to support midtown and its growing into the entertainment destination it deserves....lets make things happen,, not stop them..

Some continue to try to turn this into a neighbors vs. business fight when it is not that at all. Midtown residents are patrons too and like that there is stuff to do close to home. However, as pointed out before, it's about ensuring events don't spin out of control endagering everyone, and that the process is not skewed to favor the business elite at the expense of residents. Midtown is primarily residential punctuated by a few commercial corridors. A buffer zone must exist to ensure health, safety and some semblance of peace on residential streets. Marshall Park is a neighborhood park not well suited for large events - use McKinley, Southside or Land Park for large events. When did Marshall Park become Paragary Park? Perhaps Mr. Paragary can buy a block of land next to his house for his events. All businesses must respect the neighborhoods they operate in and follow long standing city rules to ensure health and safety. These rules apply to everyone including the proprietors on the 2700 Block of J Street. If following the rules is such a burden for them, too bad. There are many examples of well run businesses in Midtown who have figured out how to follow the rules and balance vitality with safety and respect for their neighbors.

zen: The Bloc series wasn't spinning out of control, it actually seemed fairly well-run, and residents in several previous articles on this subject have commented that the last couple of events have gone pretty well, aside from things like un-permitted launching of fireworks. The neighborhood was primarily concerned about earlier events, like the Cinco de Mayo party, that did threaten to spin out of control--and they did not want a repeat.

If businesses want to put on events without talking to the neighborhood, let them do it inside their businesses instead of in public parks. If they are going to use public spaces directly adjacent to homes, yes, they will have to talk to nearby residents.

I'm all for peaceful get-togethers. NAG is very well-suited for that: it is hosted by a third party (the city) and it is designed as a forum for people to discuss concerns about neighborhood issues, whether they are a business owner, a resident, or both. I'm also for giving a little: I too want to see more Midtown nightlife (I really, really like being able to walk to my favorite nightclub, being able to just hike over and see a great band, and having cafes etcetera that are open after 5 PM!) but I want to see them run responsibly.

I have been to plenty of completely illegal, unlicensed shows in people's houses that were well-run and competently managed. Those places tend to last for years because they know if they piss off the neighbors they will attract the attention of the authorities and get shut down. I have also been to house shows where the owner didn't care if people wrecked things or trashed the neighborhood. They tend to get frequent police visits and neighbor complaints that shut things down pretty quickly. I figure a professional business, operating above the law, should operate at least as responsibly and professionally as someone putting on punk shows in their living room, but takes the effort to provide sound mitigation and crowd control.

As to the permit process, yes it should be simple and clear--right now a major problem with entertainment permitting is that the process is so difficult and expensive that a liquor license is a must to be profitable. This means that all-ages venues and events are financially impractical, and puts a lot of emphasis on heavy-drinking events. Without a ton of booze sold, events won't break even.

Zen, not strange at all. It was then and is now all about residents' constitutional right to "quiet enjoyment of property" which was respected then but some night clubs and many merry makers do not respect that now.