March 1, 2004

MEDIA NOTIFICATION

To All Media and Interested Parties:

At this months Bethel Planning Board meeting, Liberty NY Cable billionaire Alan Gerry’s Gerry Foundation presented the "Bethel Woods Center for the Arts - Overall Development Plan Narrative Description" - the project plans. Plans which the Woodstock Preservation Alliance (WPA) has attempted to mitigate and reduce the negative impact of exploitation on the remaining 38 acres that held the natural bowl amphitheatre and upper concession areas of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair. These current plans bear significant changes from what was initially proposed, to include the downsizing of the Core Buildings Complex to be housed on the plateau above the Woodstock concert bowl (from 390,000 sq. ft to 40,000 sq. ft) and the relocation of the water tower. Although the WPA is pleased with the changes, the buildings are still housed on the original Woodstock site when 1700 acres are available, and no mention has been made of the proposed security fencing planned to surround the site.

This notice is to alert you of these current events, and to invite all media and interested parties to attend a public hearing at the Bethel Planning Board Meeting, Tues March 9 at 7:30 PM at the Bethel Senior Center 3594 Rt. 55, Kauneonga Lake. (Behind the Town Court building. The Gerry Foundation is seeking approval of a Special Use Permit. This permit is the last step prior to seeking approval at the State level for what could be the destruction of an historic icon. This may be the last opportunity to influence the preservation of the original 38-acre festival site.

A statement will be presented from the Woodstock preservationists to the Planning Board and Gerry Foundation commenting on the revised site plans, along with statements from various preservation supporters. Of particular interest is an audio statement from Mr. Artie Kornfeld, renowned music producer, writer, manager for the past 40 years, and co-creator/ promoter of the 1969 Woodstock festival. For those who cannot attend this meeting and would like copies of the materials presented, fully authorized files of statement transcripts, and Mr. Kornfeld’s audio statement will be made available to download on the Woodstock Preservation Alliance website following the end of the meeting. Permission is granted to all media to reprint and play audio of all statements for the purpose of news reporting.

Any questions or comments regarding this matter, prior and post meeting can be directed to the Woodstock Preservation Alliance 

The Woodstock Preservation Alliance is found at