MOUNT CLEMENS, MI (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Commissioners from Macomb County, Michigan, voted last week to renegotiate the contract held with the company that runs the amphitheater at Freedom Hill County Park in nearby Sterling Heights, saying county taxpayers don’t get enough out of the deal.
The commissions took the vote after being asked to approve a change in Freedom Hill’s existing five-year contract, which would allow operator Hillside Productions to join with Palace Sports and Entertainment to form a new venture called PSE Hillside LLC to oversee the park. PSE currently owns The Palace of Auburn Hills.
According to The Detroit News, the county is looking at a new proposal with the future company that would give the county a quarter of the venue’s parking revenue, a minimum of $250,000, and 1 percent of ticket sales.
Commissioners said the county has been spending more keeping up the park in recent years, and deserves a larger cut.
“All the benefits have been to Hillside,” Commissioner Diana Kolakowski told the paper. “There is very little beneficial to the county.”
Hillside first joined forces with PSE for promotion of events at the amphitheater this past summer.
Hillside has been at odds with the city recently over many issues, including concert noise levels, liquor licenses and allegations that the city has hindered the venue’s business. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
