Industry Noize: Atlanta’s Midtown Nimbys

An Atlanta neighborhood advisory association has turned its collective nose up at Live Nation’s Music Midtown, to take place in the city’s Piedmont Park, voting to “reject” the concert’s event plan and application because of traffic concerns. But that won’t affect the scheduled Sept. 19-20 event, featuring Eminem, Jack White, Zac Brown Band, and John Mayer, among many others.

A source with knowledge of the matter told Pollstar Midtown Neighbors Association has no veto power over permits, applications or events.

For its part, a city councilman told the Atlanta Business Chronicle the city is trying to commission a traffic study that would take place during Music Midtown to help officials make more informed future decisions.

In addition, the city released a statement supportive of Music Midtown, an annual event promoted by Peter Conlon in Live Nation’s Atlanta office.

“The Department of Parks and Recreation is committed to ensuring that Music Midtown continues to be an integral part of our city’s arts and cultural fabric, while minimizing impact to the surrounding communities of Piedmont Park,” the statement says. “… Together, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, and the Atlanta Police Department with the support of Piedmont Park Conservancy, will continue to work together to make Music Midtown successful for both patrons and residents.”

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