A group of independent music venues in Chicago have come together to protest the building of Lincoln Yards, a $5 billion new development on the city's North side, which is set to include three to five new concert halls run by Live Nation. In a press release, the newly-formed Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL) said they are “concerned about current urban development trends favoring tax-payer supported developments that leave out, disregard, or even stifle smaller, independent, often historic performance venues and businesses.” Members of CIVL include owners from the Empty Bottle, Metro, Schubas, Lincoln Hall, the Hideout, and more.

As the Chicago Tribune reports, the venues feel that they should be included in negotiations regarding the development. CIVL co-chair Robert Gomez, who owns Subterranean and Beat Kitchen, told the Tribune, “We should be in those conversations. Everything’s happening behind closed doors between the mayor, the alderman and [Lincoln Yards developer] Sterling Bay. Enough.” He added, “This isn’t an anti-Live Nation movement. This is: If you’re going to alter the cultural music scene of the city, we need to be in the conversation.”

Mark Campana, COO for U.S. Concerts at Live Nation, recently addressed concerns in a letter to Chicago’s 2nd Ward alderman Brian Hopkins, as the Tribune reports. “[W]e want to be a great neighbor and always work with independent venues,” he wrote. “At Lincoln Yards, our goal is to add to the scene and complement the established independent music venues. We have no interest in changing the vibe.”

Pitchfork has reached out to Live Nation for comment.