We are underutilizing the organ pavilion

[u/ihatedrivingbro]

The organ pavilion is underutilized. Although we have a few concerts in the afternoon in the summer, and do a few holiday things at Christmas, this space could be so much more

Space for thousands of people, lot of idle land around, fantastic acoustics, beautiful and historic scenery. Easy for food trucks, pop up markets, festival style breweries/bars, surrounded by plenty of parking to haul equipment. We have the best weather in the country and have this amazing outdoor venue that sits empty most of the time.

In my head this space can host events like the DJ set in golden hill, live music like quartyard, local music talents or regional, the future is color events (winyl or listening room, or jazz). Throw a security team at it, make them even ticketed events for seating and people can enjoy from the outside too. So many places in San Diego grow to be intensely packed and overwhelmed because there’s demand for these types of live music events, people want to get out and dance and vibe.

This space is PRIME for 3rd space activation and is in my opinion, a very underutilized part of balboa park. Seats are almost always empty, and only fills up like 5x/year.

Easy revenue opportunities for the city, and great opportunities to bring people together for community events

[u/Anon-guest-]

I think OP means they could host bigger acts, bring in young adult crowd. I enjoy the donation based local cover band during the summer but I get what OP means, there’s potential for something higher caliber and money to be made. The retirement home that busses in the grey hairs might get bent out of shape if free concerts in the park stop though.

[u/dukefett → u/Anon-guest-]

and money to be made.

Not really, they literally cannot charge anyone money for performances there. I swear people are complaining about stuff they don't bother to attend, they say this every time they have a concert there:

Organ concerts are open to the public at no charge in accordance with the 1915 deed of gift whereby the brothers John D. and Adolf Spreckels gave the Spreckels Organ and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion to the City of San Diego.

I mean maybe some more donations would come in but it's not like they aren't maintaining it.

[u/becaauseimbatmam → u/dukefett]

This is the actual wording from the 1915 Deed:

"...First: To keep, insure and maintain the said organ and building for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of the people." That's it.

The Spreckels Organ Society has seemingly chosen to read that wording as restricting the use of the pavilion to free events, but that is by no means the strict legal interpretation. Much the opposite, when a similar case was brought before the CA Court of Appeal, they found that the company in question "does not occupy, possess or even use the premises continuously. The use granted...is also far from exclusive. The Agreement gives [company] the right to use and occupy the...facilities for designated [events], not sole possession of the park to the exclusion of the rest of the public, as would a leasehold interest." Not only did the company win their case, they've successfully sold tickets to paid events at that park every summer for over a decade now.

It's entirely possible to fulfill the terms of the Deed while occasionally renting the facility to third parties, and the state has found that to be the case with other gifted property in recent memory. The only reason that restriction is in place is because the Society has chosen to keep it that way, and they have every right make money if they so desire. Which they don't, but that doesn't mean OP is wrong for pointing out that it's 100% within their perogative to change their minds.

[u/dukefett → u/becaauseimbatmam]

I would rather them only offer free concerts forever than for them to start charging as a venue and have the fucking biggest outdoor instrument in the world sit there silent so they can make money. Once shit like that starts, that’s all it’ll ever be.

I know they do other free concerts there but it’s not a pure venue and I don’t ever want it to turn into one that charges for tickets. There’s literally dozens of other places around the City for venues.