RIVERDALE -- The city council has decided to request bids for an amphitheater and veterans memorial, but is asking for a finished product different from the mayor's proposal to combine them in Riverdale Park.Councilwoman Shelly Jenkins persuaded the council to change the location of the veterans memorial to the courtyard of the civic center.
"From the veterans' perspective, they love the scenery here, the tranquility of the river. If it were near the splash pad, it could be vandalized," she said.
"Here we've got 24/7 watch on this building. The courtyard is cleared in the winter. It would be visible. We have an absolutely beautiful area here.
"It would be protected and receive respect."
Although councilmen David Gibby and Norm Searle said they would rather have the memorial in the park because they think more people would see it, they sided with Jenkins for the sake of getting it done.
"My main concern is that we have a memorial. Every veteran I've talked to is disappointed we have not moved on this," Gibby said.
"Riverdale isn't a large community, but we have a lot of people who give a lot of service. We need to honor those who have put their lives on the line. ... I'd rather see us build it than wait any longer."
He proposed splitting the memorial and amphitheater and seeking bids for both.
Jenkins said she hesitated to support Gibby's proposal because she wants more time for the council and community to look at the design of the amphitheater.
"This is a bowery structure. If the community wants an amphitheater, they need to see this. It's a raised stage with a cover on it. There's no seating," she said.
"Everybody ought to see what this is. If you just want a bowery (for the band) to play under, we have three or four of them already."
Jenkins voted to move forward after City Administrator Larry Hansen suggested the council authorize staff to use the $110,000 remaining in the budget for the projects and work with the city band to make the amphitheater a suitable place for it to perform.
Band member Kevin Higgs said a covered stage would be fine as long as it has panels that reflect sound to the audience.
Hansen said public works employees can do some of the labor to free up funds for the panels.
Band director Jaunett Porter urged the city to move forward with the project and not to worry about the amphitheater's proximity to the splash pad.
"About children and the proximity to the splash pad, big flippin' deal. It doesn't really matter," she said.
"We (would) perform in a symphony hall if we want a quiet crowd. An amphitheater isn't it.
"It's conducive to children and families. It still gives an ambiance in the park of a community band doing what they love to do."
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