GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The cold winter weather notwithstanding, construction is coming along on the future Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids.
A drone with an aerial camera captured some images this past week of the work going on at 201 Market Ave. SW. That is south of Cherry Street along the east bank of the Grand River. Professional photographer Steve Katerberg operated the drone.
Ground was broken in May.
The $184 million outdoor performing arts space will accommodate 7,000 seated spectators and 5,000 on the lawn, once it opens in 2026. It will be owned and operated by the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention Arena Authority, and include an upper and lower concourse, suites, a terrace and a V.I.P. pavilion. There will dining and retail options, with outdoor seating along the Market Avenue plaza.
The project is part of riverfront revitalization along a 10-acre stretch that includes four acres of green space. There will be 190 new parking spaces, as organizers anticipate about 300,000 visitors will watch about 54 ticketed events annually, according to Grand Action 2.0. That is the nonprofit economic development organization that spearheaded the project.
Another downtown entertainment project - a $175 million soccer venue - will change the skyline of downtown along the US-131 corridor. Amway Stadium will be built on Winter Avenue just west of the freeway and north of Lake Michigan Drive. The 8,500-seat stadium is scheduled to open in 2027. Ground may be broken for that project this spring. Both the soccer stadium and the concert venue are part of larger mixed-use developments.
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