Clark County commissioners this morning approved a set of rent reductions for the operators of the Amphitheater at Clark County that are hoped to improve the venue's prospects for survival.

The company that runs the amphitheater, Quincunx of Washington, had considered walking away from the facility that it built for $40 million because of mounting losses since its 2003 opening. Instead, the operators and Clark County officials worked out a deal during the past six months to reduce the annual rent paid to the county from $700,000 to $300,000.

The agreement, approved unanimously this morning, also allows Quincunx to build folding doors at the back of an area covering 8,000 permanent seats. A grass area beyond has a 10,000-person capacity. The folding doors would allow the facility to feature events year-round.

After building the amphitheater in 2002, Quincunx transferred the deed to Clark County, now the facility's owner. Quincunx makes lease payments to the county. .

-- Allan Brettman; allanbrettman@news.oregonian.com

VANCOUVER -- Neighborhood critics of the Amphitheater at Clark County couldn't resist saying it today: Told you so.

The venue's managers ask Clark County for a rent reduction.
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Dan Braun can't shake the bad vibes from the Sept. 18, 2003, Jimmy Buffett concert.
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It's the dog days of summer - or High Summer as I like to call it - and you know what that means: Not much time for blogging on the computer, there's too much to do!