A recent article in the Atlanta

Journal Constitution, "Arts in the Suburbs" (December 8, 2003),

compelled me to express my concerns about the number of such projects

completed, under construction or planned.

It is true that arts, entertainment

and conventions bring a great deal to metro Atlanta communities and the

regional economy.� But in bringing these assets to the region, counties

and municipalities need to do a better job of coordinating venue development.

Just as we find a growing need

to coordinate regional transportation and water services, arts, entertainment,

and convention venues also require coordinated development to avoid duplication

of services.

The north metro counties of

Cobb, Fulton, and Gwinnett are considering, or have recently completed,

construction of three separate entertainment facilities.� In addition,

the state's Georgia World Congress Center recently underwent a comprehensive

expansion; Atlanta continues to support the Civic Center and Chastain

Park Amphitheater; the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has undertaken construction

of a new facility in midtown; and College Park recently completed the

new Georgia International Convention Center. �Similar plans are afoot

in DeKalb and South Fulton counties. �

The Arena at Gwinnett has capacity

for up to 13,000 concertgoers.� The North Fulton Centre for the Arts amphitheater

will have seating for 12,000, and the Cobb County Performing Arts Center

will seat 3,000 in its main hall.� All of these facilities are located

within 30 minutes of each other.

Besides competing with other

newly developed facilities, new venues already face competition with established

entertainment and convention sites, including the Fox Theater, Chastain

Park Amphitheater, Lakewood Hi Fi Buys Amphitheater, the Georgia Dome,

and university-based venues such as Spivey Hall at Clayton State and the

Ferst Theater at Georgia Tech.

Governments have a great deal

to gain by sharing development costs and associated risk for these projects.�

The arts and convention businesses are extremely competitive, and ticket-buyers

and convention planners wisely care more about maximizing value for their

dollar than about which government paid for a facility.

While all involved in these

projects have high hopes for success, it remains to be seen if the audiences,

concert talent and convention business are available to consistently fill

these facilities.

Arts, entertainment, and cultural

or convention venues instill a civic pride in a community, but at some

point the region will have more facilities than it can realistically support.�

It is, therefore, imperative

that leaders from neighboring counties and cities hold meaningful dialogue

about long range plans.� With growth increasing, we must look closely

and find ways to share resources and build facilities.� Unless all of

these venues can book quality acts and conventions, and fill up every

time, these projects could take decades to recoup costs.� Even worse,

one or more facilities may be forced to close their doors.