If one googles “Isn’t Live Nation involved in multiple litigations,” one will be struck by the number of legal proceedings Live Nation is defending. There are also countless artist complaints outstanding. And Live Nation recently settled a class-action suit for $20 million dollars. A corporation whose promises you can rely on doesn’t pay out that kind of money.

Now, this outfit is focused on Portland. The Planning Board and City Council are no doubt perusing handsome artist’s renderings of the proposed building. They are being told that traffic and parking are no big deal, when anyone who lives or works in this area, or who must traverse this area daily, knows that is not true. The site is in the middle of one of the most congested parts of the city. The next-door congestion that the smaller Merrill Auditorium often generates speaks for itself.

Live Nation has read our zoning ordinance; they would fit themselves into the cracks, the omissions, the failure to account for size in a proposal like Live Nation’s. They’ve sought to sweeten the pie. It’s a game their architects and lawyers have played in many other settings. Our city fathers should not be fooled.

In short, pass the moratorium. Tighten up the zoning ordinance. Let Live Nation look elsewhere. There are more pressing needs out there — and better developers.

Orlando Delogu
Portland