The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday rejected a proposal that would allow Live Nation to take over operation of the Greek Theatre, and suggested instead that the city seek new bids for the management of the coveted Griffith Park venue.
The council's 11-3 vote came after more than an hour of debate before hundreds of backers of each bidder - dressed in their respective colors of red for Live Nation and green for Nederlander-AEG.
Several council members said a competing proposal by longtime venue operator Nederlander-AEG offered more guaranteed revenue for the city in the form of rent, but the vote did not automatically grant the contract to Nederlander.
Los Feliz neighborhood groups lined up to say they were happy with Nederlander-AEG, the current operator of the Greek Theatre.
The city's Recreation and Parks Commission had earlier unanimously agreed to move the Greek contract to LA-based Live Nation, which promised more events, money to the city and contemporary artists.
City Councilman Joe Buscaino said Live Nation had done everything the city asked and was the clear choice. He said backing off would set a negative message to businesses.
"Come to Los Angeles, apply for a contract, but at the bottom of the 9th inning, there's your proposal," Buscaino said as he symbolically tore a piece of paper.
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However, some councilmembers believed not enough attention had been paid to residents who live around the theatre.
The matter now goes back to the Recreation and Parks Commission.
