As a 95-yr. old Chautauquan (who saw Amelia Earhart, FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, and many other historical figures in the Amp during almost a century of coming to the Institution, which two family generations before and two after me have also delighted in, and I still visit each summer), I'm dismayed by the extensive demolition planned for the Amp. Chautauqua owes it to history, itself, and its community to call for and review alternative visions that address Amp renewal goals. Surely a world-class improvement plan honoring history can result!
A
Albert Smith
11 years ago
For Chautauquans that need more comfortable seating I can recommend the Indian Casino for great Friday Night entertainment. Please do not bring the wrecking ball into the heart of Chautauqua Institution.
B
Bob Pyle
11 years ago
This radical change is not going to happen based on the amount of people opposed to it already. We are in a new season of information with the Internet and a new venue off grounds for commercial purposes would be a economic stimulus to Chautaqua County.
D
deborah williams
11 years ago
This project goes against everything that CI stands for. It will take away the very heart of the place. The amphitheater and the CI is not meant to be a retail concert venue. It is an intellectual and religious place with some fun mixed in. While I can recognize the need for CI to raise money, tearing out the heart of the palce for a retail concert venue is not the way to do it. Value your mission. Sell your mission. This project is a worrying sign that the CI management and board are lost and not being good stewards of the mission. If you must have a retail concert venue build it across the street on the not fully used golf course. There are places for such things and the middle of the CI is not it. The thought of losing those wonderful tree and generaltional memory of the bridge is unimaginable too!
B
Bob Pyle
11 years ago
Build the new amphitheater near I-86/Route 17 and Route 394
J
J R Thompson
11 years ago
Save the Amp!!!
C
Carolyn S. Thompson
11 years ago
Some structures like the Chautaqua Amphitheater belong to the ages and and should be preserved as they are, not upgraded for the whims of fashion and convenience.
L
Lynn Wightman
11 years ago
I am disturbed by what seems to be a lack of consultation with the entity which designates National Historic Landmarks, namely the National Park Service and the NYS State Historic Preservation Office. The amphitheater is a primary component of the Chautauqua National Historic Landmark District. How can a plan to demolish a central feature of a NHL district be advanced without such consultation?
C
craig chertack
11 years ago
We recently completed renovation of our home with added expense to save portions of the building, partly due to our desire to preserve and partly due to the requirements of the institutions rules and regulations; these rules did not apply to the prior wensley project nor evidently to the current amp project. One loses the flavor of the past, regardless of the level of replacement. In addition the cost is exorbitant and impossible to justify given the needs for programming. You cannot justify a Hummer for suburban use nor this project. Improvements are needed but this is just wrong on many levels. New is not always better, just different. This project has obviously not been adequately studied for presentation to the public at a time and place (ie the amp in the summer when people are there) for full disclosure and review of the options.
W
Wendy Shaw
11 years ago
Homeowners who wish to redo their homes must conform to original standards at an extra cost to them to preserve the historic nature of the Institution. Why shouldn't the Institution be held to the same standards?
H
Hannah Kummer
11 years ago
It seems like $30 million could be for something more noble than a fancier building. Hoping the Chautauqua community will dialogue and find a common vision for its future.
S
susan eck
11 years ago
Renovate, not demolish.
D
Dana Saylor-Furman
11 years ago
The deception around, and expense of, this plan should cause anyone interested in the future of the Chautauqua Institution to have great concern. Follow the money, perhaps we'll find the reason behind this senseless plan to destroy our heritage.
C
Charles Hudson
11 years ago
Where is our leadership on this challenge? I have heard James Pardo is a competent and caring chairman; where is his voice?
A
Ann Pomerantz
11 years ago
pl. don' t. let this happen to the amp.
B
Beth Reichert
11 years ago
Beatufil place with many fond memories for lots of people. Don't destroy it, fix it!
D
David Ralich
11 years ago
All buildings or structures have a history that should be preserved.
B
Betsy Brown Torsell
11 years ago
Please preserve this great historic site which we all love!!!
Hey I graduated from there !
As a 95-yr. old Chautauquan (who saw Amelia Earhart, FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, and many other historical figures in the Amp during almost a century of coming to the Institution, which two family generations before and two after me have also delighted in, and I still visit each summer), I'm dismayed by the extensive demolition planned for the Amp. Chautauqua owes it to history, itself, and its community to call for and review alternative visions that address Amp renewal goals. Surely a world-class improvement plan honoring history can result!
For Chautauquans that need more comfortable seating I can recommend the Indian Casino for great Friday Night entertainment. Please do not bring the wrecking ball into the heart of Chautauqua Institution.
This radical change is not going to happen based on the amount of people opposed to it already. We are in a new season of information with the Internet and a new venue off grounds for commercial purposes would be a economic stimulus to Chautaqua County.
This project goes against everything that CI stands for. It will take away the very heart of the place. The amphitheater and the CI is not meant to be a retail concert venue. It is an intellectual and religious place with some fun mixed in. While I can recognize the need for CI to raise money, tearing out the heart of the palce for a retail concert venue is not the way to do it. Value your mission. Sell your mission. This project is a worrying sign that the CI management and board are lost and not being good stewards of the mission. If you must have a retail concert venue build it across the street on the not fully used golf course. There are places for such things and the middle of the CI is not it. The thought of losing those wonderful tree and generaltional memory of the bridge is unimaginable too!
Build the new amphitheater near I-86/Route 17 and Route 394
Save the Amp!!!
Some structures like the Chautaqua Amphitheater belong to the ages and and should be preserved as they are, not upgraded for the whims of fashion and convenience.
I am disturbed by what seems to be a lack of consultation with the entity which designates National Historic Landmarks, namely the National Park Service and the NYS State Historic Preservation Office. The amphitheater is a primary component of the Chautauqua National Historic Landmark District. How can a plan to demolish a central feature of a NHL district be advanced without such consultation?
We recently completed renovation of our home with added expense to save portions of the building, partly due to our desire to preserve and partly due to the requirements of the institutions rules and regulations; these rules did not apply to the prior wensley project nor evidently to the current amp project. One loses the flavor of the past, regardless of the level of replacement. In addition the cost is exorbitant and impossible to justify given the needs for programming. You cannot justify a Hummer for suburban use nor this project. Improvements are needed but this is just wrong on many levels. New is not always better, just different. This project has obviously not been adequately studied for presentation to the public at a time and place (ie the amp in the summer when people are there) for full disclosure and review of the options.
Homeowners who wish to redo their homes must conform to original standards at an extra cost to them to preserve the historic nature of the Institution. Why shouldn't the Institution be held to the same standards?
It seems like $30 million could be for something more noble than a fancier building. Hoping the Chautauqua community will dialogue and find a common vision for its future.
Renovate, not demolish.
The deception around, and expense of, this plan should cause anyone interested in the future of the Chautauqua Institution to have great concern. Follow the money, perhaps we'll find the reason behind this senseless plan to destroy our heritage.
Where is our leadership on this challenge? I have heard James Pardo is a competent and caring chairman; where is his voice?
pl. don' t. let this happen to the amp.
Beatufil place with many fond memories for lots of people. Don't destroy it, fix it!
All buildings or structures have a history that should be preserved.
Please preserve this great historic site which we all love!!!
This needs to be saved