Santa Clarita City Council members moved forward Tuesday with potential plans to bring an amphitheater to the Santa Clarita Valley, approving a feasibility study to determine where the structure could be built.

A Building for the Arts

The contract for the study was awarded to AEA Consulting, an international company involved in city planning, for $59,640.

“The consultants will develop a study that will address several areas related to the potential future development of an amphitheater,” said City Manager Ken Striplin. These areas include potential construction costs, management models and the location of the venue.

Members of the community expressed enthusiasm for the move, including former councilman TimBen Boydston.

“The number one thing the arts community wanted was an amphitheater,” said Boydston. “Our jobs as representatives have always been to listen to the people.”

Current members of the Santa Clarita City Council agreed.

“One thing that has been very clear to this council,” said Councilman Bob Kellar, “is the enthusiasm from the community for an amphitheater… So I’m very comfortable in supporting this, because it’s been very clear that the community would very much like to see some form of an amphitheater here in Santa Clarita.”

Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste echoed the sentiment, adding that the study was needed to make sure the new activities venue would work for the whole city.

“An amphitheater, if it’s going to meet the needs of Santa Clarita, is going to have to be very large,” she said. “This community likes to get out and enjoy its arts and entertainment.”

Condo Construction Confirmed

The council also approved the construction of a pair of condo developments in the city.

One of the new housing developments is expected to be built near the intersection of Camino del Arte Drive and Copper Hill Drive, while the other will be near Golden Valley Road east of Robert C. Lee Parkway.

It is unknown when construction will begin on either project.

Other Orders of Business

At the beginning of the meeting, four people were recognized for their bravery in saving a 70-year-old woman who was attacked in September while jogging on a bike trail.

“Others who saw what was happening on the path saw what was happening and rushed to her aid,” Weste said. “Without these very brave people, the outcome could have been very different.”

The group held the suspect until sheriff’s deputies arrived to arrest him.

And residents looking to stream the Santa Clarita City Council meetings will receive a gift in the form of three new HD video cameras that were approved for purchase. The cameras will cost the city approximately $90,000.

City analysts expect the new cameras to be in use for at least the next decade.

The Santa Clarita City Council began the meeting and adjourned in honor of founding Councilmember Jo Anne Darcy, who was one of the leaders in Santa Clarita’s push for cityhood.

Darcy died Oct. 29., at age 86.

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