Amphitheater's use of Belle Isle parking lot is raising questions from nearby residents

The first month of shows at Richmond's new Allianz Ampitheater went off largely without the parking issues that were feared at the venue, which was built without a dedicated garage.

However, some Oregon Hill residents have registered their complaints about the city's decision to lease its Belle Isle parking lot to the amphitheater, which is resulting in lengthy closures.

The amphitheater, which is owned by Live Nation, is paying the city $50 per hour for use of the space, which contains approximately 60 parking spots.

The lot will be closed Monday-Thursday this week so it can be used as a staging area for the sold-out Dave Matthews Band concerts.

The lot in question is co-owned by the city and Venture Richmond, which manages it under a lease agreement first made in 2012, when the city first built the 2nd Street Connector.

It is the closest public parking lot to Belle Isle, Richmond's most popular park and one that sees a surge in visitors during the hot summer months.

The 2012 agreement stipulates that the lot must remain available for public parking "except in the limited circumstance when said property is necessary for parking or another use specifically related to an event organized by Venture Richmond including, but not limited to, the Richmond Folk Festival."

Venture Richmond does not operate events at the amphitheater.

An amphitheater spokesperson said it has received all necessary permits to use the lot. A city spokesperson said Venture Richmond has signed off on the agreement.

The city said that North Bank Trail head, Belle Isle, and the T. Tyler Potterfield bridge will all remain open to the public during regular hours.

Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.