Proposed Hammerstein Theater Back Before Doylestown Zoning Board
By Jim Melwert
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) --- The proposed development of a farm connected to musical legend Oscar Hammerstein will be back before the Doylestown zoning hearing board this evening, as a group headed up by his grandson is hoping to build an on-site theater to save the property.
Oscar Hammerstein wrote some of his most famous works while living at Highland Farm in Doylestown, including Oh What A Beautiful Mornin', Sound of Music, The King and I, and South Pacific.
His grandson Will Hammerstein is heading up a non-profit hoping to buy the property, and with a special exception from the township turn the barn into a 400-seat theater.
But at a recent meeting nearby, residents like Lisa Mergen expressed concern over an off-site parking proposal.
"It was basically around the safety of our children," Mergen said, "with parking on both sides of streets, and traffic going in and out and late at night."
But Hammerstein says the plan they're now proposing will have valet parking with all cars on their property, and he hopes for a chance to sit down with neighbors to make their case.
"Because we do feel like this project will be a benefit to all of them," he said.
The hearings continue tonight.