Published: May 20, 2008 02:07 am            

CITY OF LOCKPORT: Council eyes peddler permit system for concerts

The Common Council will be asked to OK a two-pronged peddler permit system this year in advance of the Molson Canal Concert Series.

Mayor Michael Tucker said Monday that two types of peddler permits are proposed: a general peddler’s permit allowing anyone to sell goods in the city on any day except the eight Fridays of the concert series; and another permit allowing the holder vending rights on those Fridays only.

Only Niagara County residents would be able to obtain the special permit, Tucker said. The special permit would be issued along with a general permit, at no extra charge.

Peddler-permit holders still won’t be allowed to sell goods inside the concert area, Ulrich City Centre courtyard, because inside vending rights belong to the concert series company.

The Council will take up the question of approval when it meets for business at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Also relating to the series, Tucker said Monday he’s been informed the final slate of performers for the 2008 season won’t be released for another two weeks or so.

Tucker said that’s the word from series organizer Kathy Paradowski, who told him she’s holding on to the list up until about three weeks before the first show, June 27, so that it stays “fresh” in the public’s mind.

Web-based concert tracker pollstar.com is reporting Lou Gramm, former lead singer of the rock band Foreigner, will kick off the free series. Other Web sites have reported Gramm as a Molson act, but with changing dates in the month of July.

Also listed at pollstar are: Blood, Sweat & Tears, July 11; Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise and Robert Randolph and the Family Band, both Aug. 1; and Jeff Martin, Aug. 22.

The city’s approach to handling traffic and parking issues downtown on concert nights is shaping up “decently,” Tucker said. City officials have decided that Main and Walnut streets will remain open to vehicle traffic in their entirety, and only the block of Locust Street between Main and Walnut will be closed off. The concert stage will be placed near the Main/Locust corner facing into the City Centre courtyard, he said.

The decision leaves Main Street open for parking. Private lot owners in the area will be allowed to charge whatever they see fit per space, Tucker said; Greater Lockport Development Corp. is considering whether to open up the nearby lots associated with Harrison Place, along Walnut and South/Elmwood streets, for parking as well.

Tucker said he’s trying to work a deal with General Growth Properties, owner of the vacated Lockport Mall, to allow concert-goer parking there and shuttle service to City Centre by NFTA. Nothing is firm yet, he said.

        

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