February 3, 2025
Dear Washington City Council, Washington City Planner, and Mayor Mainier,
Please consider placing on hold for 90 days any future action regarding the proposed Amphitheater honoring Mr Jim Hengst’s wife.
Your constituency might be more supportive of this endeavor if you provide a question and answer Town Hall format meeting which addresses citizens’ concerns about the project. Then the information could be made available on your website to those who are unable to attend a Council meeting.
Important Questions to address:
Where can we find the data that supports the positive financial outcome of this project?
Is there a guarantee that the local and state noise ordinances will be met? Will it be too late to fix this matter after the fact?
Will the amphitheater’s location affect many neighborhoods with high noise level and increased traffic?
Will our police department have enough officers to keep the amphitheater safe from vandalism when not in use?
What studies do you have which provide the data for the projected FINAL cost to the City of Washington? Could those studies be made availabe to your constituents?
Please give us more information before moving ahead with a project that leaves the citizens of Washington with so many questions.
Please put any further action on the Amphitheater project on hold for 90 days.
Updates
February 8, 2025
500 signatures reached. Clearly, the community has real questions that need answers before construction begins.
Reached 500 supporters
February 7, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
February 5, 2025
182 Comments
This was a generous offer from Mr. Hengst, thank you. However, I am in favor of halting this process until further consideration is given and all questions answered. I am NOT in favor of raising taxes for this and NOT in favor of the noise level it will create so close to a lot of residential areas.
Please! As alderman you are to represent what the people want. Not make decisions for them that do not include the opinion of the people you represent! Put this amphitheater idea on a ballot. Let the people decide! Thank you
I am not in favor of the amphitheater. Higher taxes, and more traffic on Cruger. If Mr Hengst wants to honor his wife, there needs to be a better option. Maybe give money to our schools to improve the bands and choir programs. This would benefit many people in our town.
Gross misuse of taxpayers money, while there are dozens of cheaper and more needed projects/buildings/programs that could be done. We pay 2.6% for property taxes. This is an insane expenditure.
Has anyone that has anything to do with the planning of this amphitheater checked to see if there are any residents living in the subdivisions, (that will be affected by the noise) who have PTSD, neurodivergence, or any issue for which loud noises will dramatically affect their quality of life?
I don’t want this in my backyard
Too many unknowns to finalize a decision that could negativity impact our community (excessive costs and increased taxation) for way too many years ahead.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
February 3, 2025
Dear Washington City Council, Washington City Planner, and Mayor Mainier,
Please consider placing on hold for 90 days any future action regarding the proposed Amphitheater honoring Mr Jim Hengst’s wife.
Your constituency might be more supportive of this endeavor if you provide a question and answer Town Hall format meeting which addresses citizens’ concerns about the project. Then the information could be made available on your website to those who are unable to attend a Council meeting.
Important Questions to address:
Where can we find the data that supports the positive financial outcome of this project?
Is there a guarantee that the local and state noise ordinances will be met? Will it be too late to fix this matter after the fact?
Will the amphitheater’s location affect many neighborhoods with high noise level and increased traffic?
Will our police department have enough officers to keep the amphitheater safe from vandalism when not in use?
What studies do you have which provide the data for the projected FINAL cost to the City of Washington? Could those studies be made availabe to your constituents?
Please give us more information before moving ahead with a project that leaves the citizens of Washington with so many questions.
Please put any further action on the Amphitheater project on hold for 90 days.
Updates
February 8, 2025
500 signatures reached. Clearly, the community has real questions that need answers before construction begins.
Reached 500 supporters
February 7, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
February 5, 2025
182 Comments
I am not in favor of the amphitheater due to tax burden to residents, poor planning/feasibility and noise pollution on nights of concerts. I live close and do not want to hear random music & sound from a distance when sitting outside every weekend.
This was a generous offer from Mr. Hengst, thank you. However, I am in favor of halting this process until further consideration is given and all questions answered. I am NOT in favor of raising taxes for this and NOT in favor of the noise level it will create so close to a lot of residential areas.
Please! As alderman you are to represent what the people want. Not make decisions for them that do not include the opinion of the people you represent! Put this amphitheater idea on a ballot. Let the people decide! Thank you
I am not in favor of the amphitheater. Higher taxes, and more traffic on Cruger. If Mr Hengst wants to honor his wife, there needs to be a better option. Maybe give money to our schools to improve the bands and choir programs. This would benefit many people in our town.
Gross misuse of taxpayers money, while there are dozens of cheaper and more needed projects/buildings/programs that could be done. We pay 2.6% for property taxes. This is an insane expenditure.
Has anyone that has anything to do with the planning of this amphitheater checked to see if there are any residents living in the subdivisions, (that will be affected by the noise) who have PTSD, neurodivergence, or any issue for which loud noises will dramatically affect their quality of life?
I don’t want this in my backyard
Too many unknowns to finalize a decision that could negativity impact our community (excessive costs and increased taxation) for way too many years ahead.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 750 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I am not in favor of the amphitheater due to tax burden to residents, poor planning/feasibility and noise pollution on nights of concerts. I live close and do not want to hear random music & sound from a distance when sitting outside every weekend.