New renderings of the amphitheater planned for a site along the Mississippi River north of downtown Minneapolis feature shipping containers transformed into concession stands and a sloped lawn, where concertgoers may be able to enjoy shows as soon as 2024.
In a Thursday presentation to the Minneapolis Planning Commission, city staff and developers detailed early plans for parts of the Upper Harbor Terminal, a 53-acre former industrial site along the river in north Minneapolis that is to become home to a 20-acre park, the 8,000-seat concert venue, affordable housing and more.
The city-owned property is a former barge loading and storage facility that shut down in 2015, after Congress ordered the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock to prevent the spread of invasive carp. It's located between the river's west side and Interstate 94, to the north of the Lowry Avenue Bridge.
The estimated $350 million project is nearing its first phase of construction, with site preparation set to wrap up early next year. Public infrastructure will be built over the next few years, and developers are now preparing to seek permits for individual projects.
"This has been a long time coming," said Hilary Dvorak, the project's principal city planner.
City officials have previously said the full parcel may not be built out for 15 or 20 years — but the site's star feature, the amphitheater run by First Avenue, could be up and running as soon as the summer of 2024, according to a staff report.
The report said the venue will hold an estimated 45 shows between May and October each year. Shows will generally be expected to end by 10 p.m. to comply with the city's noise ordinance.
New designs from LSE Architects show a standing general admission area that would fit 2,500, a terraced area with 1,500 seats and 100 box seats, and a sloped lawn that could fit about 4,000. Concessions would be served from 66 recycled shipping containers stationed around the venue.
