DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVED BY CITY
Live Nation Entertainment’s plan to build a new amphitheater in Riverside is on track to becoming a reality.
On Tuesday night, city officials granted a rezoning request on 170 acres west of NW Horizons Parkway just east of the Quindaro Bend Levee, and approved a preliminary and final development plan, solidifying Live Nation Entertainment’s plan to build a new 15,000 seat amphitheater.
Live Nation is one of the biggest live entertainment providers in the world. The company has been around for more than a decade and manages a large portfolio of entertainment venues.
The potential open-air amphitheater would occupy about 135 acres south of NW 39th Street and north of Interstate 635. The venue of the proposed size has a strong potential to attract big music artists to the area and serve as a hub for concerts or musical theatre.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, Brian Koral, city administrator unveiled renderings of the prospective venue, which features a 15,007-seat amphitheater with 5,200 parking spaces and 200 rideshare stalls.
The amphitheater will offer seven different seating options including 1,666 pit seats, 6,076 general seats, 4,135 lawn seats, 1,502 premium seats, 432 premium boxes, 410 premium group sales, and 786 premium lawn seats.
According to renderings, the semi-circulate general seat area will be veiled with a rooftop.
The venue’s modern design features a park-like setting with several large well-manicured grassy spaces and meandering paths. The main performance stage, which faces away from the Quindaro Bend Levee, will be surrounded by elevated seating that fans out. With the stage backing the levee, sound will be projected toward Interstate 635. The stage’s placement also prevents the sun from glaring into the concert-goers’ eyes.
Live Nation’s plan was presented by Gretchen Blain with Generator Studios. No citizens spoke at the meeting.
One alderman asked if the sound could be projected toward Kansas, but Bain said the stage needed to have its back toward the levee.
The venue will be enclosed with a fenced boundary that stretches 538,450 square feet. Inside, concert-goers will be able to grab a bite to eat or drink at one of the many buildings at the open-air venue.
Renderings also showcase a well-lit entryway, VIP area, vinyl club, and speed bars. The venue will have an estimated 240 toilets.
If all goes as planned, construction of the amphitheater would take about a year and a half.