Proposed St. Louis Music Festivals Divide Community

March 11, 2014
The art and music of St. Louis, Missouri, has a prevalent place in history, considering the city was well known as a halfway point for blues and jazz musicians traveling north to Chicago from New Orleans at the turn of the century. Now, the rich and vibrant scene is continuing growth and expansion, with officials considering approval of two new large-scale music festivals to take place in the city over Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends.

The bill being proposed by Aldermen would give rights to a concert promoter to hold a festival at the Gateway Mall on each of the weekends for the next 20-years. The events would be on the scale of other outdoor music festivals, such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, SXSW, or Lollapalooza. According to an article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the events would begin in 2015 if approved.

While many are excited to see such events taking place in the city, other residents are concerned over problems the festivities could bring. Swarms of tourists coming to the events could bring revenue to the city, but would also seriously disrupt traffic patterns. An increase in traffic, combined with the prevalence of alcohol at such events, could lead to a significant increase in the number of motorists who become a St. Louis Drunk Driving Victim.

Such events stir quite a debate amongst members of the community and the St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers with Cofman Townsley Injury Lawyers are hopeful a resolution that pleases all parties can be reached.