Greek Indecision

The Parks Commission originally recommended that Live Nation should run the theatre, opting for its RFP over longtime operator Nederlander.

A determined fight led to the City Council rejecting the option and sent the issue back to the Parks Commission, which decided to reject both RFPs. Mike Shull, head of the commission, said time is running out to make a decision, with Nederlander’s contract coming to an end in October.

He suggested that, because the 2016 season needs to be booked soon, the city should consider making the Greek an open venue, with Nederlander, AEG, Live Nation and others vying for shows, at least until a final management decision is made. The city, as the venue operator, would take on the risk and reward of maintaining the shed.

“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, according to the Los Angeles Times. Shull and others are expected to present the plan next month. The option remains to use an outside facility manager in the meantime, however, time is running out. “It would be a dereliction of our duty if we did not look at being able to self-operate,” Commissioner Lynn Alvarez said.