Middleton joins Toronto Council as downtown amphitheater plans take shape

TORONTO -- City Council has a new member.

Jayson Middleton was sworn in as Third Ward councilman before the start of Monday's meeting. Mayor John Parker administered the oath, with Middleton's wife, Tammi, joining the ceremony.

Middleton replaces Troy Stewart, who resigned from council.

During the meeting, council members reviewed preliminary sketches for the planned downtown amphitheater project.

Planned for the corner of North Third and Market streets, the amphitheater's stage will face Gazebo Commons, where summer concerts currently are held, according to the city's Building and Grounds Committee. The surface will be concrete and an entrance will be located on Third Street.

The site was formerly occupied by Cooper Hardware, a three-story building demolished last August by the Jefferson County Land Bank. The 9,600-square-foot lot also sits across from the historic Soldiers and Sailors World War I Monument.

An agreement with the land bank allows the lot to be transferred to the city.

In November, Parker said he had purchased bench-style seating with a capacity of several hundred people using $38,000 awarded for the project by the Charles and Thelma Pugliese Charitable Foundation. The Jefferson County commissioners also awarded the city $13,000 from its park and recreation fund for the amphitheater.

Council also learned that Monday will be the final day for public swimming at the pool, with adult swim sessions continuing through Labor Day.

Members also set the city's trick-or-treat hours for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Council's next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 24.