Quote Originally Posted by EastsideAl View Post
The city has started charging big money for organizations wishing to hold events at Hart Plaza, or cancelled them altogether on very short notice early this summer. This has forced organizations to move their scheduled events at nearly the last minute, and/or forced them to charge admission for formerly free events.

This may save some budget cash, but it is extremely short-sighted IMO. Since these are the very events that draw people into the city, and help support local tax-paying businesses.
The security for Hart Plaza events is very costly and with a lack of police in the city the costs have gone up.
However we need these events at Hart Plaza, that is what the Plaza is for. And honestly I have always felt safer for the African Festival then events like the Hoedown.
There have been rumors for a couple of years of a change to Hart Plaza, maybe this is coming sooner then later.