The situation in St. Paul, MN reminds me of the scheduling problems with the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall here in Portland. I wonder what the economic impact of an added concert hall in downtown Portland would be.
By providing a new home for the SPCO, the renovation will free up dates in
the Ordway’s 1,900-seat main theater calendar. Members of the Arts
Partnership have long competed for open dates in that space, which is so in
demand for bookings that president and CEO Patricia Mitchell has said, “You
can’t get a toothpick in there from Labor Day to June.” …Ordway officials are estimating the renovation will increase attendance by
130,000 a year and will have an additional economic impact of $6.1 million.