Phil Said No: Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads Won’t Be In Fairfax

Since March we’ve been following Phil Lesh’s quest to create a community space / music venue in California’s Marin County that would host events similar to Levon Helm’s famed Midnight Ramble’s. Last we left this story, the Grateful Dead / Furthur bassist and his wife Jill had focused on a location in Fairfax and were dealing with opposition to their plan. Apparently the opposition was too much as last night the Leshes released a statement through project manager Bruce Burman saying they are not moving forward with plans to bring Terrapin Crossroads to Fairfax…

“After careful consideration we have decided not to move forward with Terrapin Crossroads in Fairfax. For all of you that have supported our efforts and helped to define the vision, we are extremely grateful. Phil looks forward to making music and creating a community gathering place sooner rather than later.”

Richard Halstead of the Marin Indepdent Journal has been reporting on this story since the start and spoke with Fairfax’s mayor, Larry Bragman, who told Halstead that, “I regret we were not given the opportunity of going through the process with them. I think that is a real loss for the community. I really do.” Bragman went on to say he hoped to convince Phil and Jill to reconsider their decision. It is not yet known where the Leshes will look next, but when we find out we’ll let you know.