Portland Planning Board Rejects Buffer for Entertainment Venues

Portland’s planning board turned down a rule about how far music venues must be from each other. Now, city councilors will make the final decision on this rule.

If the council rejects the rule, a company called Live Nation can build a big music venue in downtown. This venue would hold over 3,000 people. Some people are worried about this plan. They think it might hurt Portland’s music scene.

Local musician Doug Kolmar is against Live Nation’s plan. He is happy about the planning board’s decision. He believes it could stop the build. Scott Moeller, head of the Maine Music Alliance, shares this concern. He thinks Live Nation could negatively affect local artists.

The city council will vote on the rule on April 27. Mayor Mark Dion believes the venue will likely be approved. He thinks opponents have tried without success to stop it. Some are worried about parking for the new venue, but the city’s development director says parking spaces are available. Live Nation has not responded to questions about the new rule.

How much do you know?

What did Portland's planning board do regarding music venues?

Approved a new rule

Turned down a rule

Ignored the rule

Proposed a new rule

What is the capacity of the music venue that Live Nation plans to build?

1,500 people

2,500 people

3,000 people

4,000 people

Who is against Live Nation's plan?

Doug Kolmar

Mark Dion

Scott Moeller

City Councilors

When will the city council vote on the rule?

April 20

April 27

May 1

May 15

Who is the head of the Maine Music Alliance?

Doug Kolmar

Scott Moeller

Mark Dion

Live Nation

What is a concern mentioned about the new venue?

Location distance

Environmental impact

Parking availability

Noise levels

The city councilors will make the final decision on the music venue rule.

True False

Live Nation has confirmed they will not build the new venue.

True False

Doug Kolmar believes the planning board's decision could stop the build.

True False

Mayor Mark Dion thinks the venue will be rejected by the city council.

True False

Scott Moeller believes Live Nation could help local artists.

True False

The planning board's decision was to approve the rule for music venues.

True False

The city council will decide on the music venue rule on next.

Local musician Doug Kolmar is about the planning board's decision.

Live Nation's venue would hold over people.

Parking for the new venue is apparently according to the city's development director.

Scott Moeller warns that Live Nation could negatively affect local artists.

Some community members are worried that a new venue could hurt Portland's music .

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