Rumor has it that historic Deer Creek Music Center (aka Verizon Wireless Music Center) in Noblesville, Ind., will soon be up for sale again, causing many Indiana music fans to worry.\nThey worry that the developers will come with no regard for the rich tradition the music center represents and we will be left with nowhere to hear large music acts.\nIn particular, many fear the loss of the acreage surrounding the music center that facilitates the debauchery Deer Creek is known for. What will we do, they ask, without space for marijuana proliferation at Dave Matthews Band concerts or sunstroke-inducing alcohol consumption at Ozzfest? These naysayers apparently feel that such activities supercede the potential economic growth that developing the area could lead to. \nFirst off, the concerns of the cultural conservationists crying over Deer Creek are a premature.\nAbout seven years ago, naming rights were sold to Verizon and the traditionalists cried foul then, but nothing about the venue actually changed. Why would anyone interested in buying the property want to destroy a lucrative venue that brings in significant amounts of revenue every year? Though the acreage surrounding the center might be developed into a commercial park, the elimination of the state's only large music venue is highly unlikely.\nSecond, though we acknowledge that losing the surrounding area might be sad, these are the growing pains required if we want Indiana to become a more vibrant economy and thus more attractive to the corporate entities that bring in the tax money we covet.\nAs the new-terrain Interstate 69 project (which runs very near to Deer Creek) continues to bring economic benefits and attract the attention of international corporations, state institutions (i.e., universities) will reap the benefits. It would be hypocritical to ask for more educational tax money if we are unwilling to accept the development necessary to bring in the required state revenue.
Dissent: Benefits of Verizon sale only marginal\nThe potential selling of Verizon Wireless Music Center has caused concern among some citizens for valid reasons. The sale and use of the music center's 203-acre surroundings for business advancement might in fact slightly boost the Noblesville economy.\nHowever, the city had an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent in November 2006, 1.4 percent below the state average. Its median income per household was $61,455 in 2000. Just a year before the median income per household in Indiana was $47,838 and dropped in 2005 to $42,437.\nIf Verizon Wireless were in a community struggling financially, I would very much support any action that may boost a poverty-stricken area. I support big business. But big business for big business' sake (especially at the potential sacrifice of the culture of music) may serve only to damage the heritage of the community if the vast grounds around the center are sacrificed.\n-- Jacob Stewart
