While public support for 48Straight, formerly the Honda Ski Tour, is seemingly stronger than ever after the positive feedback from last winter's races and festivities, one group of business owners remains less than enthusiastic.
Tenants of the Courtyard plaza on East Avenue convened at City Hall for a council meeting on Monday, March 3, to express concerns that arose during last year's event regarding the large tent housing the concert stage, which was located directly in front of the Courtyard entrance.
Business owners from the building said the BaseCamp Music Pavilion blocked views and hindered access to the building, which houses 14 tenants on two floors, including offices, art galleries, a restaurant and retail stores.
"I'm a supporter of 48Straight and am all about introducing new people to this environment," said Zane Levitt, co-owner of furniture and home decorations store Your House, to the City Council. "It's just that the tent is so big it blocks our building and essentially shuts down our business while it's there."
Levitt said that after the financial hardships caused by last summer's Fourth Street Heritage Corridor construction and the Castle Rock Fire, another sharp decrease in business could "push people to the brink."
While the tension at the meeting was palpable, much of it was alleviated the following day, when 48Straight founders Kipp Nelson and Steve Brown met with Courtyard business owners and members of the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau.
"We're definitely not here to hurt anyone's business," Nelson said in an interview afterwards. "We need the public to help us out and support these guys to ensure that we can keep doing this year after year."
To that end, Nelson said, the tent will be less obtrusive this year, as it will be further off the sidewalk to allow better access to the shops.
As well, Ketchum Assistant Police Chief Mike McNeil said his department will ensure that the sidewalks are clear during the entire event.
What's more, a creative solution was reached, and starting Monday, March 10, the affected businesses will host Happy Hour at the Courtyard from 4-6 p.m., during which six tickets to the 48Straight events will be given away each night through Saturday, March 15.
To enter the raffle, contestants must fill out a "What's My Carbon Footprint?" card at any of the participating stores in the Courtyard. Drawings will take place each night between 5 and 5:30 p.m.
"It went very well, and Kipp and Steve were amiable and positive," Levitt said. "I think it should be a lot better this year."
Kipp Nelson, co-founder of 48STRAIGHT, formerly the Honda Ski Tour, has worked with business owners in the Courtyard plaza on East Avenue in Ketchum to minimize the impact of the large tent that will once again house the concert stage during this year?s event. Erection of the tent will begin on Monday, March 10, and it will be up through the following Sunday.
Photo by Willy Cook
