Jax Council Pres explores new event venue

Could the solution for noise complaints surrounding Met Park be in building a new venue?

It’s an idea that City Council President Bill Gulliford tells WOKV he’s exploring.

“We might put a temporary fix on it with the legislation that’s proposed, but I think the issue will come back,” he says.

Gulliford has participated in many of the city’s Ad Hoc Committee meetings on Met Park noise, where several councilmen and outside interests- like concert promoters- have tried to put together a packet of regulations governing noise levels and hours of operation for ticketed events. Many people who live in St. Nicholas or other nearby locations complain about the extended duration of noise from concerts as well as the thudding of bass levels.

While he thinks there is a temporary fix to be had, something that will get a vote in front of City Council early next year, he says this noise issue has come up time and again and they need to look long term.

“I think that this issue about the noise will only become exacerbated with more and more residential development,” Gulliford says.

While he wasn’t willing at this time to say where a new venue could be built, when those plans will be public, and how much it could cost, he tells WOKV he hopes to find private partners and other ways for the city to contribute beyond just monetary investment.

While he hopes this will settle some of the noise problems, that’s not to say he wants events out of Met Park entirely.

“I’m talking about potentially expanding more business,” he says.

Gulliford says building a new venue could give them the opportunity to meet the needs of some of the big acts that are right now going to St. Augustine while not imposing too much on all the neighborhoods around downtown. He still aims to keep all the ticketed events they’re allowed to hold at Met Park, but expand entertainment options even further.

We will continue to follow this story as more information about the potential venue becomes available.