City council has decided to give it a one-year trial.
In response to a proposal from Coun. Alan Harrison, the city’s liaison with the Roots and Blues Festival, the majority of council agreed Monday to allow about 50 tenting spots on the southeast baseball diamond at the corner of 10th Avenue and Fifth Street SW during the festival. He said it would be a low-cost way for the city to help make the festival financially successful this year, as it could mean 50 more festival tickets.
Other councillors agreed to the trial except Coun. Kevin Flynn, who said he’s all for the festival but expressed concerns about hurting camping businesses, about parking and about setting a precedent. Coun. Louise Wallace-Richmond excused herself from discussions as the festival is a client. Mayor Nancy Cooper said she doesn’t see it as precedent-setting because accommodations are full for the event.