The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention and Arena Authority has approved an agreement Grand Action 2.0 moving the downtown Grand Rapids Amphitheater Project one step closer to becoming a reality.
The public-private partnership entered Friday involving the CAA, the City of Grand Rapids and not-for-profit economic development organization, Grand Action 2.0 will begin the process for fundraising and design. The state has allocated $30 million toward the estimated $116 million amphitheater.
The facility with capacity for 12,000 concertgoers will be located along the east bank of the Grand River on a roughly 12 acres parcel of land at 201 Market Avenue.
“I think it’s going to be multi-use. I mean, there’s a possibility that groups, some of our convention groups and others, might use that as a different type of space, outdoor space, for presentations and such. So, it’s exciting.”
Doug Small is President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids The Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“And then on top of that, is what’s going to go on around it. You know, so we’re going to see other growth. And finally we’re taking advantage of that riverfront which needs to be done.”
It will tie in with the city’s 31-acre riverfront project incorporating an urban housing mix with retail, greenspace and parks, pedestrian walkways and bridges spanning the Grand River along with the Grand Rapids WhiteWater river revitalization project.
It’s possible that and the amphitheater could be completed simultaneously in 2025.
