Phase I of Bethel Woods construction 1. Pavilion 2. Parking 3. Festival stage (off map) 4. Farmers market 5. Interpretive center and community theater 7. Electric substation 9. Wastewater holding tank 10. Event tent Phase II shows plans for construction of a potential wastewater treatment plant, a performing arts school, an inn and conference center and additional parking, all located along Hurd Road, south of the above parking lots.

Bethel Woods reveals rural PAC design

Core buildings scaled down to allay WPA concerns

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY—Architect Paul Westlake’s design concept for the Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center (PAC) displays forms and materials he hopes will appear “familiar and timeless” and “blend with the rural landscape.”

The Gerry Foundation presented its new Overall Development Plan Tuesday night along with renderings of the Bethel Pavilion and other buildings fashioned by Cleveland architectural firm Westlake Reed Leskosky for the 37.4-acre 1969 Woodstock Festival site. The foundation hopes to receive final site plan approval of the $46 million project from the Bethel Planning Board by spring to enable a summer 2004 groundbreaking, land use attorney Larry Wolinski said.

Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Drapkin said plans for the pavilion haven’t changed following completion of the Environmental Impact Statement, finished after a 17-month review period; 4,000 seats will fill the covered section and the lawn will allow an additional 3,000 spectators.

The bowl area, where the 1969 festival stage was located, will remain open aside from a small stage, Drapkin said. Westlake committed his sensitivity to historical significance by “taking buildings out of view of the [1969] festival site.”