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City Shuts Down Met Park Ampitheatre Over Safety Concerns

Ryan Benk
/
WJCT News
Credit Ryan Benk / WJCT News
/
WJCT News

Thirty-two years after Jacksonville’s Metropolitan Park opened its amphitheater, the city is closing it down.

As our partner News-4-Jax reports, the popular concert and event venue’s canopy has rotted out, and mayor’s office spokeswoman Marsha Oliver says it’s no longer safe.

“It’s no longer in the structural condition that we feel as though would be safe for citizens,"she told News-4-Jax . "So, we have a recommendation to Council to have that canopy removed.”

But Oliver said that doesn't mean the entire venue will be scrapped. Although the city is still unsure how it’ll renew the stage, it’ll work with event promoters on a plan.

The City Council is also in the process of trying to reimburse concert promoter Danny Wimmer roughly $100 thousand for having to build a temporary stage while the city conducted a safety study.

Copyright 2020 WJCT 89.9 FM Jacksonville. To see more, visit .

Ryan Benk is originally from Miami, Florida and came to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University. He worked on Miami Dade College’s Arts and Literature Magazine- Miamibiance Magazine and has published poetry and a short film called “ The Writer.” He’s currently working as the Newsroom’s Researcher while finishing his Creative Writing Bachelor’s Degree at Florida State University. When he’s not tracking down news, Ryan likes watching films, writing fiction and poetry, and exploring Florida.