Elmer Smith: City has a Jones for reopening the Dell

WHEN WATER started to rise under the first few rows of seats, the decision was clear: Robin Hood Dell East would have to cancel this summer's concert series.

That wasn't the only Dell-related uprising, though. Several Council members rose up in righteous indignation when they first heard about the closure during a budget hearing in March, just about the time constituents start inquiring about free tickets.

None was more righteously indignant than first-term Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., whose 4th Councilmanic District includes both the Robin Hood Dell East and the Mann Music Center in West Fairmount Park.

But by the time I reached him yesterday, Jones had cooled considerably.

"I think the mayor and his people should be commended for the way they are approaching this," Jones said. "They're taking a hard look at the entire operation of the Dell's physical plant and promotions.

"This is a Philadelphia treasure. It has some of the best views of any outdoor arena anywhere.

"This has been a blue-collar, working-class venue, where people could get a $5 lawn seat and enjoy a night under the stars."

A night under the stars regaled by stars. Some of the biggest rhythm-and-blues, gospel and comedy acts in America used to headline the summer concert series at the Dell, which is cut into a hillside in the park between Kelly Drive and 33rd Street in North Philadelphia.

For the cost of a downtown concert ticket, a whole family could enjoy a night of entertainment.

But the place has been going to seed for years. By last summer, the city was able to stage only six concerts, most of which were sparsely attended.

Tickets didn't go on sale for some of the concerts until a few weeks in advance. There was little or no advance advertising for several events.

So, when the mayor's chief of staff, Clay Armbrister, delivered the bad news two months ago, it was really just the sound of the other shoe dropping.

"We're going to have to demolish much of the existing seating," Armbrister told me yesterday. "Most of the problems are in the subsurface. We need to install new drainage, put the seating back in and improve the lighting.

"We hope to put it out to bids soon and have the major work done in time to reopen for next year's summer series."

The city has about $3 million set aside to spend on physical renovations. But it may not be enough for the extensive system repairs and upgrades that Jones and other Council members want to see completed before summer 2009.

"We need to get people interested in adopting the Dell," Jones said. "The $3 million will cover the fundamental structural stuff, like replacing the seats.

"But we need to help groups such as the Friends of the Dell, who have raised money [included in the $3 million] for upgrades and improvements.

"Then we need to look at who is the market for the Dell and how to promote it. With the exception of Aretha Franklin, we didn't sell out a single show."

Meanwhile, Deputy City Representative Erica Atwood has been working to book a series of events at neighborhood recreation centers this summer in place of the Dell series. Armbrister said that the city will be announcing that series "relatively soon."

That was music to Curtis Jones' ear.

"We met in her office to talk about it," Jones confirmed. "I'm encouraged to hear that it would be a combination of headliners and neighborhood talent.

"I hear it's going to be free, and it should be connected with an anti-violence theme in neighborhoods, sort of a message in the music.

"I was driving near 56th and Gainor recently and saw what looked like a block party. I pulled over and asked why I wasn't invited.

"Turns out it was a repast for a young man who had been killed by his best friend. When you see that, you know we need events that promote peace from neighborhood to neighborhood." *

Send e-mail to smithel@phillynews.com or call 215-854-2512. For recent columns: http://go.philly.com/smith