JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Local organizers for events at Metropolitan Park are upset over proposed legislation to force ticketed events to keep the noise down.
It's a quiet Friday night at Metropolitan Park, but the prime downtown area draws a pretty big crowd for some big events.
Mike Yokan is one of the event promoters for Welcome to Rockville. "We're bringing a lot of people and money into this market."
He says it's about $6 million just for that weekend. He's worried a new proposal from Councilman Don Redman will send that money somewhere else.
Redman wants to stop having ticketed events at the park. "Loud music just permeates over the water, and there's nothing to stop it," said Redman.
He says his constituents in the St. Nicholas area are complaining. "Kids can't sleep, and people can't rest in their own homes, so we have to do something," said Redman.
But many argue stopping these events isn't the answer. "All the vendors are local. We use unions as stagehands, and there are 80-100 extra security guards," said Yokan.
Redman says he'll consider changing his proposed legislation because of all the emails he's received. "Wait until after Monday. Hopefully, we can come up with different ideas," said Redman.
That's good news to people who are passionate about getting people downtown for events at Metropolitan Park. "We hope to find a win-win for everyone going forward," said Yokan.
Redman plans to meet with the administration on Monday to see what other options are available.
His proposed bill won't be voted on for at least another month.
