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Business & Tech

Blossom Neighbors Talk Traffic

Residents and Sheriff's Department discuss the pros and cons of the local venue.

The crowds coming by car to  hasn't changed over the years, and neither has the amount of aggravation to area residents.

But one thing has changed for neighbors of the open-air entertainment venue: the freebies have disappeared. And with no change in sight, the frustrations are just a little harder to endure, neighbors say.

Seth Dodds has lived by Blossom for much of his life. He grew up on Northampton Road and still lives on the same street, now with his own family.

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He recognizes the positives to having the venue in town and said it helps businesses in the area. Each Fourth of July, Dodds looks forward to watching the music center’s fireworks display from his backyard.

But when it comes to the drawbacks of living near Blossom -- like pulling in and out of his driveway on a concert night -- Dodds and his wife said Live Nation, the current operator of the venue, should bring back the freebies that made summers a little easier.

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Years ago, locals used to get free concert tickets and a bright green pass to display on their vehicles. Seeing the pass, police would stop traffic to let the residents' cars through.

“We do suffer an inconvenience,” Dodds said.

Tony Stahl, who lived along Steels Corners Road for 25 years and now lives on Northampton Road, says it's not just traffic going by his property, but travelers to Blossom who also use his property. Some stop to urinate in his yard. Others use it as a turnaround.

“People can’t see the sign for the back entrance of Blossom, so cars are constantly turning around in my driveway,” he said.  

Like the Dodds, Stahl would also like to see the return of the friends and family passes.

“All will be well if Blossom sends me four Def Leppard tickets," he laughed. "Elton John is probably asking too much.”

Calls to Live Nation for comment were not returned.

Blossom contracts with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office to handle traffic and security duties around the venue.

On sold-out nights, 40 deputies typically are on duty, sheriff's Inspector Bill Holland said. Concert-goers should plan to come early and be patient, he said.

“When there are 20,000 people pouring into a couple entrances, you have to expect traffic delays,” Holland said.

Most of the congestion is on Steels Corners Road, he said. As an alternative, motorists can come up Northampton Road or Akron-Peninsula Road. 

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