LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Los Angeles' Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners voted this week to go back to the drawing board, rejecting competing proposals from both Live Nation and a partnership between Nederlander and AEG to operate the iconic Greek Theatre.
According to the Los Angeles Times, City officials might opt to re-open the bidding process, though, that would leave little time before the city's current contract with Nederlander expires in October.
Department head Mike Shull also suggested that the City might run the Greek, at least temporarily, as an "open venue" which would allow promoters to book the venue but offer no exclusivity. The arrangement would also mean more risk for the city, who would be on the hook for theater maintenance, but could also see the city realize more revenue from events produced at the venue.
“This by no means rules out a new (process to solicit proposals) — but does buy us time and ensures the continuation of the revenue stream the department so desperately needs,” Shull said, advocating the open venue idea as a temporary solution.
The Recreation and Parks Commissioners had previously recommended Live Nation's bid, but the City Commission declined to affirm that recommendation, citing in part, Nederlander's strong support in the community. Nederlander has operated the venue since the 1970s. – Staff Writers
