David Lawrence

Review of Cobb Energy Performing Arts Ce...

As many posts indicate, this facility is beautiful...

As many posts indicate, this facility is beautiful and creates an excellent venue for the entertainer.
It is NOT, however planned or operated to consider audience guests with special needs!
When I purchased ground floor orchestra level seats on the aisle, no mention was made that steps would be involved. My elderly companion ( dependent on a walker) had to struggle maneuvering even just to reach row T. Departing was no easier as we waited until the venue was largely empty to attempt an exit.

Upon arriving before the show, I dropped my companion in the circular drive and parked the vehicle.
It was my intent to repeat the process to pick them up.

BTW, When parking there, you should back your vehicle in the space as I did. Don t expect people to be courteous enough to let you back out! All the lower levels crawled while backing vehicles stalled the exit process. Parking attendants could have easily assisted in this operation, but the one person available was doing all he could.

After 45 minutes of waiting to vacate my space, traffic was directed by well-meaning State Troopers and less caring Cobb County Sherrif Deputies. Traffic cones and official vehicles prevented me from turning right out of the deck. (A right turn and 200 feet would have allowed me to return to the drop-off location in seconds from exiting the deck.) Instead, the forced left turn led me to a forced right turn where divided medians prevented a turn around and sent me directly on to a I-285 East ramp in heavy traffic. It took well over an hour to bet back to my 90 year old guest, who by now was the only person in the drop-off area with all facility doors locked and no way to get help. Not everyone carries a cell phone so I had no way to inform them of what had occurred.
Furthermore, the 2 State Troopers & the lone very rude Cobb Sherrif Deputy we re leaving with no apparent awareness that my worried friend was alone at the curb and might need assistance!
The Sherrif Deputy I summoned over showed NO concern stating that the problem was a venue issue and not something that concerned her! (so much for TO PROTECT & SERVE !)

The venue offers valet parking that I would have gladly used, but it was not available for the Shen Yun event I attended.

This event was something we ve long looked forward to, but it was THE LAST event I will attend at Cobb Energy Centre.