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C3 pays city $12,000, plus $1 per ticket to rent Zilker for ACL
As the Austin City Limits Music Festival grew from a fledgling two-day event in 2002 into one of the biggest music festivals in the country, the fees the city has charged organizers for use of Zilker Park have not changed.
This year, organizer C3 Presents paid the City of Austin $12,000, plus $1 per ticket sold, to rent Zilker Park on Oct. 1-4, according to the company’s contract with the city. Those rates have remained constant, even as ticket prices have increased substantially.
The Austin-based company has donated $1.4 million over the past three years to the Austin Parks Foundation and will pay another $2.5 million to reimburse the city for new sod and irrigation systems at Zilker. And the ACL Festival pumps at least $27 million into Austin’s economy, according to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“They give us everything we need and require, and on top of that, they give so much to the Parks Foundation,” said Jason Maurer, events manager at the parks department. “You have to look at the benefits holistically.”
City Council Member Sheryl Cole said the city should probably take a fresh look at its special event fees for parks but consider them in the context of other benefits offered by groups like C3.
“We need to consider that they bring other things to the entire city, including the donations they’ve made to the Parks Foundation, Zilker Park and the benefits to our economy,” Cole said.
This year, C3 paid the City of Austin $20,000 to rent Zilker Park for 19 days before, during and after the festival, including time to set up and dismantle equipment. It also paid a $2,000 damage deposit, $1,000 to cover all utility costs, $1,500 to use Republic Square as a shuttle site and $2,500 apiece to the Zilker Zephyr train and the Barton Springs Pool concession stand for business lost during the festival.
C3 paid for all road closure fees during ACL and all police, fire and emergency services expenses, costs that many other event organizers ask the city to waive, Maurer said.
“C3 is committed to the communities where we work, and we are proud of the contributions we have made,” C3 spokeswoman Shelby Meade said.
By comparison, C3 appears to pay more to put on Lollapalooza, a slightly larger three-day music festival in Chicago. However, a precise tally of ACL expenses is not available because C3 donates an undisclosed percentage of ticket sales to a nonprofit that works to improve city parks.
Chicago’s parks department does not charge C3 to rent Grant Park for Lollapalooza, which draws 75,000 people per day for three days in August.
However, C3 pays 10.25 percent of gross revenue and 8.5 percent of sponsorship revenue to the Parkways Foundation, the Chicago parks department’s fundraising arm. The total payout for 2009 will be $1.9 million. This year, the price was $205 for a three-day pass.
In Austin, C3 has paid the Austin Parks Foundation a percentage of ticket sales since 2006. Neither C3 nor the foundation would disclose the percentage, which is written into a private contract.
But foundation Executive Director Charlie McCabe said the money, over the past three years, has paid for $1 million in improvements to 50 city parks. It also has covered $400,000 to add water lines and improve a lake water intake system at Zilker in 2007 and 2008. And it will reimburse the city $500,000 a year over the next five years for a new sprinkler system and sod the city installed at Zilker in April.
The money from C3 “has allowed us to expand our mission and fund a lot of projects that we wouldn’t have been able to do through our normal fundraising activities,” McCabe said.
Meade, the C3 spokeswoman, said C3 estimates that, once it makes its payment to the Parks Foundation for 2009, it will have donated $2.6 million total since 2006.
The company pays the city $1 per ticket sold, counting $185 three-day passes as one ticket. Last year, the total was $66,923. The amount hasn’t been calculated for this year and won’t come due for a few weeks. The daily festival capacity is 65,000 paid entrants.
ACL’s ticket prices have risen from $25 a day in 2002 to $85 a day this year. The $1-per-ticket fee is the same rate charged to any other event that draws more than 1,000 people, closes off a city park and charges admission, Maurer said.
C3 also reimburses the city for any staff time that parks and Austin Energy workers spend on the event. Last year, that total was $29,921, including pay for four Austin Energy workers to be on site at all times, Maurer said.
The contract also requires C3 to pay for any damage to Zilker. The sod installed in April became a muddy mess after last weekend’s rains, and C3 crews began hosing it off this week in the hopes that healthy grass is alive beneath it. The parks department has no estimate of how much any sod repairs might cost.
C3 has already agreed to rent out more time at Zilker — through Oct. 16 — to dismantle equipment and work to restore the grass. The parks department will seek payment for any days the park might have to be closed beyond that, Maurer said.
Roughly 100 groups rent Austin park space for events each year. Parks staffers don’t haggle over the fees to rent park space because those fees are set by the City Council, Maurer said.
“We, as staff, cannot just change them on an ad hoc, discretionary basis, depending on the event,” Maurer said.
That means the organizers of a 2006 Rolling Stones concert paid the same rates, though the band kicked in an extra $300,000 for parks improvements.
The city charges slightly different rental rates for other parks. For example, it charges $5,000 a day to rent Auditorium Shores, $2,500 a day to rent Fiesta Gardens and $3,500 a day to rent Waterloo Park, regardless of whether the event is free to the public. The rates are the same for nonprofit and for-profit groups because the wear and tear on the park space is the same regardless of the organizers’ financial status, Maurer said.
There is no specific fee for Zilker, however. It defaults to a more generic $3,000-a-day rental fee for special events that was set before the ACL Festival began, Maurer said. Back then, there were only three big events held at Zilker — the Trail of Lights, the Blues on the Green concert series and the kite festival. The trail pays no fees because it is a city-run event, Maurer said. Blues on the Green organizer KGSR does not pay fees because it produces free concerts at no cost to the city and provides its own equipment, security and cleanup crews, Maurer said. And the kite festival does not pay city fees because the organizer, the nonprofit Exchange Club, provides a free, family-oriented event, Maurer said.
Contract to rent Zilker Park for ACL Fest
Permalink | Comments (83) | Post your comment Categories: ACL Festival 2009
Comments
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By ACLer
October 8, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this
So, when do they send out the checks for MUDDBUTT? Hahahahahaha!
By C3PresentsSquat
October 8, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this
More evidence the boneheads at Austin City Hall cannot negotiate. No wonder the unions are bankrupting the city and ours are the highest city taxes in Texas. They gave us that ghost train to Leander, Marc Ought Not, and green choice charges dumped on all electric users. And might as well admit to the worst police and fire chiefs among Texas big cities. And least our old mayor was subject to manic fits where he made things interesting (even if a little scary. OK, a LOT scary).
By larry
October 8, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
Okay. C3 paid (or needs to pay) the city $4,000.00 per day to rent the part of the park they used for 3 days ($12,000.00) The way I see it they will owe an additional $4000.00 per day until the end of the month. Thats an additional 26 days (less the 31st) of park use. Let’s see that’s uh, carry the ought, times 26 comes to $ 104,000.00. Checks in the mail?
By Kwitchurbichin
October 8, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
Where are all the whiners today?
By Corrupt Chicago
October 8, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this
Glad to see the City of Austin is not into heavy handed kickbacks and extortion like the notoriously corrupt Chicago political machine. Should Austin politicians be like Blagojevich and only be concerned about whats in it for them? Or should they make deals that greatly benefit the citizens instead? Good leaders have the citizens in mind. Thanks for letting ACL happen in Austin!
By Jason Andrade
October 8, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
this report is incomplete. What does Chicago have to provide for $1.6mm that we provide for $79k. There is a lack of apples to apples comparison. The post als references a $500k payment over last 3 years. Does Chicago get something similar or is that in the $1.6mm.
Until all the facts are laid out and it shows us lacking can we start calling for peoples heads. Until that time Corcorans post is nothing but a bunch or words strung together on a topic.
By Zilkerlover
October 8, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this
C3 pays $250 for utilities and a $2000 deposit…hilarious… what are they renting: a two-bedroom apartment or one of the larger municipal parks around. Who negotiated this contract? Maybe time to send someone with an M.B.A. or a business background to the negotiations… or maybe just someone with a pocket calculator…
By ben
October 8, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
I didn’t see the “under the table bribes” category listed in the report.
By Tony
October 8, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
Awesome- which City Hall Slimeball can I grease his palms to get a deal to rent out Zilker for $4k? I want to throw a party and everyone is invited for free!
By Southside Danny
October 8, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info. Please find out what the “undisclosed” percentage is, and also what “about $500,000” really is, to a penny.
By whatzat
October 8, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
At commercial rates that should be $10000 worth of electricity for the lights alone.
By Jimmy
October 8, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
There is something fishy going on here. C3 signs a lease “on behalf of the Austin Parks Foundation’???? Are they trying to wash their millions of earnings through a non profit or trying to avoid sales taxes????? This contract deserves more investigation of what Austin Parks Foundation is getting out of this deal. Seems like we need to have the comptroller look at this deal.
By JAD
October 8, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
So with the money they pay to the Parks Foundation, the ticket fee, and the costs specifically outlined in the document, C3 pays over $200,000 a year for the use of the park.
By John
October 8, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
Something does not add up. 65,000 times $185 that means their gross is $12 million for three days. There is something wrong with this picture if Austin gets $68,000. What else is this private company C3 getting by using the name Austin Parks Foundation. If i read this contract Austin Parks Foundation is supposed to be running this event. IRS needs to look into this deal.
By suckered
October 8, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Are we taking into consideration the weeks the public is denied access to the park to prepare the landscape, then the weeks closed to repair the landscape? That’s a huge expense in denied access to one of our city’s greatest assets.
By KLRU Open records request,Michael
October 8, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this
Michael: Could you work through the AAS to submit an open records request to KLRU and discover the arrangement C3 has with the ACL brand holder?
By Citiy prices
October 8, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
To put it in perspective (but not explain it all away)
It costs $35/day to park in downtown Chicago. It costs $5-$8 a day in downtown Austin. Either way if they make a good profit, they are shrewd.
By todd
October 8, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
Nobody has ever accused the City of Austin of being smart when it comes to money. I applaud C3 if Austin is dumb enough to give them such a deal.
By JohnMtnBkr
October 8, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
KLRU: I would also like to see this. As stated in other comments, we don’t necessarily get to see all the “monies” that are exchanged. An open records request is precisely what Austinites need. I love to conspire as much as the next, but what are the facts… then we can add the theories!! Please Michael, how can we arrange this?!! Thanks KLRU.
By It's All Germain
October 8, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Unreal. Do you have any idea what it costs to put on an event like this? You had bands the caliber of Pearl Jam and you’re complaining that the City perhaps didn’t get enough revenue from C-3? The city makes up any loss from the tax revenues that restaurants, venues, hotels, car rental agencies and every other business visited by those attending. They have huge transportation costs, contracts with bands, riders, roadies, contractors, etc. The City basically loaned C-3 the park on the promise that C-3 would restore it. Would you prefer that C-3 not come back and there not be an ACL? The park was already due for a reseeding, and if it hadn’t rained, the land would not have been destroyed. C-3 will probably end up in the red because of the rain and the damage to the new lawn. Gawd! Wake up and stop thinking $$!
By Broadway
October 8, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Is the donation to the parks foundation a way to avoid taxes on their business operation?
By non-profitC3
October 8, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
‘No charge for sound permit because the lease is with a non-profit organization.’ Last time I checked C3 was making plenty of $$$… I forgot, the lease holder is really ‘Austin Parks Foundation’, a registered non-profit. Well, well…
BTW, tried to drive through Stratford Drive and it was closed today. I suppose the citizens of Austin threw this in as a freebee to our favourite non-profit..
By Tarvin
October 8, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
What does this work out to per square foot? Not enough.
By Jane
October 8, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
The Austin Parks Foundation a 501 c 3 Is the Leasee???? What do they know about running a music event for 65,000??? Something is not right about this deal. There is some hiding of income by this private company C3 or using the exempt status of the Austin Parks Foundation to avoid sales taxes. Do your job AAS. Tell us really what is going on here.
By Hal
October 8, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
This would not be the first time a private 501 c 3 “sold” their tax exempt status to help a private individual company avoid sales taxes. Something is wrong here. The public has a right to know. Come clean Austin Parks Foundation. Come clean Austin Parks Department. You guys need to interview Sarah Hensley and see what is going on here. Shed some light on this cloudy picture. Someone is trying to hide something.
By June
October 8, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
Time to interview the Austin Parks Foundation and find out if the $12 million this private company is earning is being run through their bank account. Something is wrong here. A private company does not share money with a 501 c 3 unless they are getting something out of this deal.
By todd
October 8, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
Germain, Yes, I would rather ACL not be at Zilker. ACL is not worth the best part of Zilker being closed for a minimum 2 months. Austin does not need ACL, there is great music here every day of the week for the true music fans to enjoy.
By Hal
October 8, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this
If this is truly a good newspaper then this story should be on your front page. You need to tell the public that something fishy is going on here. Why is C3 the “agent” for the Austin Parks Foundation? You guys need to inteview Hensley and she what she knows about this.
By HelYa
October 8, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this
What do they get up there in Chi Town for that $? If you’re going to run a a story about numbers, please include all of the numbers. DO they also pay for police, utilities etc or is it inclusive?
So what if they pay less for Zilker. Yeah we get locked out of the park for a while, at the expense of one of the greatest music festivals in the country, if not THE greatest. And now we have a very nice lawn to use instead of a half-grass field full of stickers. My kids play soccer in that field. WOW it is a LOT nicer. Tiger Woods would take his shoes off if he stepped on that lawn.
By billybob
October 8, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
C3PresentsSquat: From which orifice did you pull the numbers showing that Austin has the highest city taxes in the state? I just looked at the Austin Chamber’s summary of taxes just for this region and Austin’s taxes were second LOWEST! Lower than Bastrop, Elgin, Hutto, Leander, Cedar Park, Lockhart, Manor, Pflugerville, San Marcos and Taylor. A quick check showed it also is lower than Dallas and Houston.
By Adrian
October 8, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
Does he go by “Charlie” professionally? Seriously?
By Janna
October 8, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
Would someone tell City Manager Ott that the city of Austin is getting ripped off??? Or better still maybe you need to tell him there was an ACL festival in his town last weekend in case he did not read the paper.
By Kay
October 8, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
I always wondered why in little letters on their web page is said “Austin Parks Foundation presents” THE ACL FESTIVAL. Hmmmm. Wonder who is avoiding paying income taxes on this $12 million gross???
By Eddie
October 8, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
Corcoran - you at best an idiot at reporting. You just DONT get it do you. Yes they rent the park, and yes they get a ticket percentage. They ALSO funding a 2.5 million improvment project along with hundreds of thousands of other dollars given to the foundation for park improvments. Foundations, nationwide, do the leg work for many governments which they cannot fund or afford themselves….talk about missing the boat. I hope ACL NEVER lets you attend or critique their event EVER again…
By Colby
October 8, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this
What Chicago makes a better deal with this private company than Austin??? I thought we were smarter than that. This story makes our leaders look like that got snookered.
By Helen
October 8, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
I dont want Sarah Hensley to ever come crying again to our neighborhood association about the lack of Park funding ever again. If she cannot negotiate a better deal than this then we need a new Parks Director.
By C3PresentsYourMother
October 8, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
C3 Presents, according to the puff piece the Statesman did last week, is 3 paunchy rich white guys whose one smart piece of business was buying names. They bought Lollapalooza at a time the festival had a horrible reputation; and they bought the rights to “Austin City Limits” at an even better deal, especially when you study the boneheaded rental agreement the City chipped in. People in city government and in not-for-profit arts association are not the folks you should send in to negotiate.
By Chang
October 8, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this
ACL doesn’t “Get It”.
By June
October 8, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Sarah I got a bridge in New York city to sell you if you think you got a good deal for the city for an event that grossed over $12 million.
By Kay
October 8, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this
C3 is counting their money all the way to the bank. Meanwhile Austinite get the shaft once again.
By Sunny
October 8, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
Wow! At this “unbelievable” rate - I could have afforded to rent out 46 acres of Zilker Park for my wedding at the bargain rate of $4,000 for a full day…
By bartonboy
October 8, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this
Did I do the correct math? Chicago got $1.6 million for their C3 fest and Austin $246K. C3 is an Austin company. Would like to know more about C3 and their dealings City Hall. Nothing against the music scene but don’t like Zilker being blatantly commercialized. The park and surrounding neighborhoods can’t handle 70,000 additional (drunk) people.
By raisedby2straightparents
October 8, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
What if the police taze me at ACL. Will they pay me $ 40,000 also?
By bartonboy
October 8, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
Would like to know more about the Austin company C3 and their relationship with City Hall. Have nothing against the music scene but don’t like seeing Zilker blatantly commercialized. The park and surrounding neighborhoods can’t handle 70,000 additional (drunk) people.
By Jerry
October 8, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
Can you imagine the outrage if C3 was Gary Bradley and he was ripping off the city this way?
By conveidt
October 8, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
To KLRU and Mtnbkr-You don’t have to be a newspaper to make an open records request. Anyone can make a request. To avoid any costs, ask to see the documents/records in person instead of getting copies. Put your request in writing (hand written is ok) and be as specific as possible about what you want to see. You don’t have to give any reason or justify why you want to see the records. You can sit and look at the records, make notes and if you want a copy of certain items, request xerox copies of just those. Been there, done that.
By Tony T.
October 8, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
SHAME ON YOU PEOPLE….What a ridiculous article and you haters should be ashamed of yourselves. One of the main reasons most of us live in Austin is for the Live Music and the ACL Festival is a great showcase for it as well as the City of Austin. C3 puts on this party every year and the City of Austin gains in every possible way (larger tax base, worldwide reputation, more tourists, etc…) yet you bunch of whinners complain. Seriously, please pull your head out of your collective rear ends and instead of complaining, try being appreciative that we GET to live in a City that has promoters who can pull off a 3 day party of this caliber. The grass will be back (that C3 paid for) and Zilker Park will be better than it was. Thank you Charles, Charlie and Charlie (and all of your team at C3 who work so hard to put on the best Festival in the Country). PLEASE keep it coming!!!
By Dog
October 8, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
Hey, Jerry!, it’s not political. Don’t care for Bradley’s behavior, or these Johnny-Come-Lately’s. Both are immature.
By archhero
October 8, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
Wow, what a bunch of arm chair quarterbacks. Get real, a deal was struck by competent city officials which brings millions into the local economy. You can’t compare Austin to Chicago, the festivals are different and the economies are different. Having lived in Austin for 20 years I feel this city has gotten better every year due mainly to our city officials and creative companies like C3.
By RRRR
October 8, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
Would like to see a realistic estimate of how much revenue is generated from the event as a whole, including local businesses, hotels, car rentals, parking,ticket markups, etc. Prob a much bigger # than 246k. Still, I assume that the other $$$ from ticket sales goes straight to C3? What is that, 12 mil a year? Zilker has been torn to bits by this festival over the last few years, and now we are going without it’s use for another month??? Austin Parks and Rec fronting as a non-profit is certainly shady, if the musings on this board are accurate.
ACL Festival has NOT been around in it’s current format for long. Austin was doing just fine as a music city before it started. I grew up here, and could just as soon do without it again. Losing Zilker for any marginal profit (if there is one) is too high a price for this city to pay.
By ACL Fan
October 8, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
Comparing ACL to Lolla, and Austin’s Zilker Park to Chicago’s Grant Park is comparing apples to oranges. The pertinent fact is that the Parks Foundations in both cities benefit tremendously from the support provided by these festivals. If you were at Zilker on Friday, before the deluge, you could appreciate what C3’s funds had wrought, a beautiful, lush landscape the likes of which didn’t exist before they graded, irrigated and sodded the Park. The Festival featured local vendors and restaurants offering there wares. I met people visiting from other countries who wer here solely because of ACL. The positive economic impact on our community can’t be overstated. The agreement to put on the Festival couldn’t have been made without the approval of the surrounding neighborhood associations. At a time of economic crisis that is histoic in scale we should be thankful for this boon to Austin. What would Corky be doing all summer if it weren’t for ACL?
By Frank
October 8, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this
I am a life long Austinite of 60 years. I am sick and tired of people making excuses for justifying this rip off of a public park. Now that I know the Austin Parks Foundation is a “front” for these private promoters I am stopping my donations to that organization. As a taxpayer I demand Mrs Hensly negotiate a better deal for our public park.
By Kenny
October 8, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this
You guys defending the ACL should be ashamed of yourself. Ripping off the city for the sake of a music event is still a rip off. I dont care how much money it brings to the city. A rip off is a rip off.
By Texas Two Stepper
October 8, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
What they said. In $pades. COA has to be the worst businesspeople in the world, but why should those downtown care…it’s OUR money, not theirs!
By Hector
October 8, 2009 5:20 PM | Link to this
There is something really smelly about this deal. What are they hiding. C3 “as a representative for the Austin Parks Foundation.” Are they gaining some sales tax exemption by claiming this event is presented by the 501 c 3 tax exempt “Austin Parks Foundation.” Hasnt Austin had a drop in sales tax revenue? Hmmm wonder what is going on here??? This articles raises more questions than answers. Sic Lindell on this story AAS.
By I heart C3 & ACL
October 8, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
Austin shines due to C3 & ACL. The revenue Thank you C3 for doing such a fine job for our city, it’s parks, it’s buisness, it’s reputation as “music capital”. Thank you for having a vision. Thank you for knowing and recognizing talent. Thank you for providing the people of Austin something else to be proud of. Thank you for planting the best music fest and most organized (hands down) in our backyard. Thank you for caring for the park you hold this event in. Thank you.
By ACLlover
October 8, 2009 5:26 PM | Link to this
Hey, just because I want to have economic ‘sense and sensibility’ prevail doesn’t mean I am a ‘whiner’ or ‘hater’. I have been to ACL in the past and think it is a great thing (in the right place), but why can’t we have a great thing AND a good deal for all people in Austin? Obviously C3 is making out like robbers: why not get great music without getting robbed?
By Patsy Monsoon
October 8, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this
Hello you idiots - all fees - from electric, to water to renting a park are set by Council. The city is NOT in the business of using the willy nilly “you look rich” or “you look poor” when assessing fees…you idiots….
I’d love to drive to all you haters’ houses and decide to double or quadruple your trash rate based on whether you looked like you could afford it or not. Bet you whiners would all shut up then….
By anonymous
October 8, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this
ACL is fantastic and Austin wouldn’t be the same without it. It is due to the hard work by C3 that we are able to enjoy such a great festival every year. Not to mention the huge benefits festivals like ACL and Lollapalooza bring to their respective cities in terms of bringing increased commerce and tax dollars from the thousands of people these festivals draw in.
By ACL Fan
October 8, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
The Festival would not take place without the support of our elected officials and the majority of our City’s population. Frank can vote with his wallet and halt his contribution to the Austin Parks Foundation. For three days this past weekend, 65,000 ticketholders per day, voted with their wallets in support of ACL.
By bizness
October 8, 2009 5:49 PM | Link to this
Austin does need to pull more money for a festival of this magnitude. To those who say get rid of it: You are a fool. This is one of the great things that Austin does. and C3 did give us quite a lush lawn to play on and had it not rained it would still be. I could spin an 8 iron 12 feet back on the grass that was there on Friday.
By paul violand
October 8, 2009 6:13 PM | Link to this
Hey i made 210$ selling parking spaces! its trickle down economics. good for all! This will help offset the incredible increase in my property tax bill. But next year those spaces are going for 7000$! Contact me for your early reservation now. Love living next to zilker- but it aint cheap partner! Bring on prop 13!
By End Recreation Foundation
October 8, 2009 6:14 PM | Link to this
The Festival has been canceled for the indefinite future. So has SXSW and R.O.T.
By sydney
October 8, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this
ACL is a terrific festival. Austin is a terrific city. Nevertheless, there are a lot of questions about the contract, the use of a 501C(3), the value of the park to ACL organizers and if the city is realizing that value, the costs to taxpayers (no one has mentioned additional police and assorted other city services required). Also, to be clear since I live adjacent to it, Zilker Park was not closed for 2 months in preparation for the festival, it was closed for more than 10, just about the entire year. It is closed now. It seems to me that the people with questions need to organize to ask them seriously and in a single voice. Let’s use Craig’s List to get organized since the Statesman is not providing much of a forum. It is not whining to ask questions and it is not disparaging the value of a festival, it is common sense. And while I admire the terrific marketing skills of ACL and its PR agency, those skills are no replacement for answers.
By larry
October 8, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
C3 DID NOT PAY FOR THE NEW LAWN AT ZILKER!
The COA paid for plowing, leveling, seeding, watering and other general care of that nice (use to be) lush grass. C3 is reimbursing the city 2.5 million over a 5 year period, starting next year. An INTEREST FREE LOAN!
Well, that plus washing the mud off, using the water from Town Lake (yeah, yeah, Lady Byrd Lake). On your dime.
Get use to it kiddos. You’ve been had by the city once again.
By Patsy Maroon
October 8, 2009 6:43 PM | Link to this
Patsy, great contribution and great communication style, calling people with differing opinion ‘idiots’. So the fees are set by the Council - why don’t you go over there and try to rent the Park for the same terms - good luck…
By Sid
October 8, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this
Pathetic. C3 should at least be splitting the profits of this festival 50/50 with the city for the use of OUR park.
By Amy V.
October 8, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this
All this harping and criticizing is so narrow-minded. So what if C3 makes money? Does that mean that the rest of the city suffered? Not by a long shot. The City also made money, but hey, if C3 makes more than the City then that must mean the capitalist pigs are somehow plundering the little guy.
So let me get this straight: You’d prefer if C3 lost money and struggled and had to raise ticket prices and bombard festival-goers with sponsor soup; or cancel ACL Fest altogether? Personally, I’m glad there’s a local business that’s successful, employs people, showcases Austin greatness way beyond just our City Limits, and will continue to do so. I was there and I met people from NYC, Chicago (no, not affiliated w/Lolla), all over Texas, even Australia. Not to mention all the other supporting businesses already mentioned by previous posts(hotels, restaurants, shops, cabs, etc.)
STFU, you whiny *****.
By city
October 8, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this
With the way you people talk about ACL, you would think it MADE the city into the music venue it is. How ridiculous is that! You do realize that Austin was a MUCH better city and music venue BEFORE ACL fest than it is today. Most of you idiots are too stupid to know that though. Good thing ACL came around to make Austin the city it is. W/o it, we’d have just been a high tech town. yeah, that’s it.
By J2Eyesme
October 8, 2009 9:48 PM | Link to this
Do you all believe that the city/local residents enjoy a bunch of dentists on motorcycles coming to our town once a year for the biker rally?? I mean come on, it’s tax money. C3 can negotiate because they understand they can bring millions the Austin economy. What’s there to understand? If a bunch of out of town yahoos want to come to our town three days a year and spend there money, then by all means. See you next year!!
By Ken
October 8, 2009 10:01 PM | Link to this
A great deal was struck and it brought in a ton of business to the area. The contract is pretty straight forward as well. It also says right in it that C3 is responsible for turf restoration, and any other damages/littering to the park. Wages=paid by C3.
By South Austin
October 8, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this
REALLY PEOPLE!!! I work in the music industry and guess what no one is coming to shows in this economy. I grew up in this town and remember a thing called Aqua Fest and all the other wonderful music festivals like ACL and even SXSW. They are the reason I’m so proud to call Austin home. Comparing Austin to Chicago is ridiculous - Hey Corky do you know the difference between the cost of living in Chicago and Austin? Before you try to sensationalize it for your story realize all the great things that having ACL has done for this city. A huge economic impact and not to mention all the memories it has created for young and old. As for cost of the park I got married in one of the beautiful Austin City Parks and the reason I did was because it was so cheap and that is not a bad thing. Corky what is your issue I am sure you got into the festival for free, drank for free and did not have to use the porta-potties like the rest of us commoners as you were backstage. Lighten up and keep the music alive before we loose the title of “The Live Music Capitol.” It rained people we are going to be inconvenienced for a little bit and then it will be business as usual and the park will be beautiful and better.
By Shills
October 8, 2009 10:56 PM | Link to this
A lot of the pro-C3 comments seem to be from the same person….
Austin is getting ripped off. That much is obvious. The park is closed for months and they pay only for the weekend?!? (FYI: The park existed, and had grass, before ACL. It wasn’t lush putting grass but at least we could go there.)
By John in Austin
October 8, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this
No doubt C3 does a class job putting this together and making everything click. However, since it’s public land, I think that we, the taxpayers, are owed a more complete explanation of the financials. I look forward to a story on A1 in the next week or so.
By RadioFreeBevo
October 8, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this
“More evidence the boneheads at Austin City Hall cannot negotiate.” Oh, city hall knows how to negotiate all right - free event and backstage passes for everyone on the city council and department heads who wanted them.
By NotSouthAustin
October 9, 2009 12:03 AM | Link to this
“Lighten up and keep the music alive before we loose the title of “The Live Music Capitol.” “
LOL. Someone from South Austin claiming that Austin is the Live Music Capitol is laughable.
By deeza
October 9, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this
Take the money and by your own venue c3….if you want to invest in our city do it by building a venue that can handle acl fest and all of the other once great shows that now cruise right on by on the way to Dallas,Houston,or S.A.screw that city and all of the nay sayers and put your money where your mouth is invest….if you build it they will come.and no one will be griping about public lands and you jacking up the city…take it east….
By Wake Up & Enjoy
October 9, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
With a recession and budget cuts going on all around us, events like these bring additional dollars to fund park projects in both Chicago and Austin. Not to mention the tax revenue / economic impact. Last time I checked, these events were a good thing and a win-win for all ****** involved. Cocoran really should consider all the angles before writing such an inaccurate and clearly negatively biased piece. Most cities would love to have a festival like ACL. I sure do.
By The Monkey
October 9, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Well just try getting some information from the Parks Foundation. I was initially told by a Foundation employee that C3 “donates” 8.25% of their proceeds to the Park Foundation for distribution in the form of grants. Well isn’t 8.25% the sales tax that a FOR PROFIT organization would have to pay to the City on the ticket sales? So running ACL Fest through a non-profit, C-3 doesn’t pay any taxes, on anything. I’ve done fund-raising and donated $500.00+ cash in the past 2 years for the Parks Foundation. When we purchased items to sell at a fundraiser we were given State and Federal tax exempt documents so we paid no sales tax on the purchases. I’m guessing that running ACL Fest through the Parks Foundation gives C-3 the ability to acquire all of it’s goods and services tax free as well. What a sweet freaking deal for C3, at the expense of Austin taxpayers who once again this year got hit up with higher taxes and fewer services.
By norm
October 9, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this
Where’s the bias, Wake Up & Enjoy?
By Cindy
October 9, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
This deal is rotten to the core. Something is smelling in Denmark. How can Hensley even recommend to Council such a deal. Have you no shame Hensley??? No shame?????
By Janna
October 9, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
Getting such little money for the city while the promoters make off with milliions is about as stupid as if the Norwegians would even think of awarding the Peace Prize to Obama.
By FH
October 9, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
Yes it looks like Chicago has a sweeter deal but I agree with others and say to compare all the details. Besides, last time I checked, capitalism reigns. Everyone is making money here. The park makes money and gets a new makeover every year, C3 makes money, the bands make money, and most importantly, the city (restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, vendors) makes money from thousands that descend to our city for this event. Look at the Big Picture folks.