15,000 seat amphitheater project heats up in Grand Rapids (Detroit: live, buses)

[magellan]

Momentum builds for Millennium Park state

Thursday, October 18, 2007
By Ken Kolker
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- Some sweet sounds could be on the way for a corner of Millennium Park.

The idea for an outdoor amphitheater at the Kent County park is gaining ground, officials say. Its supporters envision it drawing 15,000 fans, some spilling onto the lawn, and jamming under a starlit sky to Linkin Park, Aerosmith or the Grand Rapids Symphony.

The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority has identified a site and conducted a study to determine whether an amphitheater would work in the park.

"It's starting to gain some momentum," Morgan said.

The Convention/Arena Authority is expected early next year to name the site within the park. The organization also oversees such venues as Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place Convention Center.

The Millennium project would be similar to DTE Energy Music Theater near Detroit, formerly Pine Knob.

It would include about 9,000 fixed seats and 6,000 lawn seats. There's talk of shuttle buses to and from downtown, and extending Wealthy Street to make it easier to reach.

The CAA hired local architectural firm Progressive AE to pinpoint the site and conduct a feasibility study, said Rich MacKeigan, who heads SMG, the management company that runs the arena and convention center and would operate an outdoor venue.

The plan is to compliment the Van Andel Arena's already astounding line up of acts, during the slow Summer indoor concert season.

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