Birmingham Amphitheater
The Birmingham Amphitheater, formerly called Carraway Amphitheater, The Star at Uptown Amphitheater or Star Amphitheater, is a planned $50 million, 9,380-capacity outdoor concert venue first proposed in September 2022 for Birmingham's Norwood neighborhood. The venue would serve as an anchor for Corporate Realty's "The Star at Uptown", a mixed-use redevelopment of the former Carraway Hospital campus. Generator Studio of Kansas City, Missouri was the architect for the amphitheater.
The amphitheater is owned by the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority and operated by LiveNation of Beverly Hills, California. It will replace LiveNation's 12,000-seat Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Pelham, which the company put on the market after 2023 with a restrictive covenant against its continued use for live music performances.
Development
The proposal was first introduced to the public by Jimmie Stephens at a regular meeting of the Jefferson County Commission. He told the group that the project would require a $5 million up-front commitment from the county, to be matched by the City of Birmingham, the BJCC and LiveNation. The remaining $30 million would be raised through public bonds issued by the BJCC and financed by venue proceeds, and from revenues generated from payments in lieu of tax (PILOT) earmarked to the BJCC from businesses in the Uptown entertainment district. Under an agreement between the BJCC and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, its revenues from hotel taxes, amounting to approximately $900,000 per year, would also be transferred to the BJCC bond fund, offset by a $3 million "bridge" grant to the CVB from the State of Alabama.
Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin and Alabama State Representative Jabo Waggoner, who served on the CVB board, soon went on record supporting the project. County Commissioner LaShunda Scales criticized the project as a low priority for residents compared to sewer bills and crime.
LiveNation projected that the amphitheater would generate a gross annual revenue of $7 million from ticket sales, assuming 120,000 tickets sold to 15-17 shows per year. The projected overall economic impact would also include hotel rooms, meals, entertainment and services consumed by local attendees and visitors.
The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority voted on February 15, 2023 to approve purchasing 13.4 acres just west of the former hospital for construction of the amphitheater. The parcel would include the former LifeSaver 1 helipad and a 380-space parking deck, as well as parts of the right-of-way of 23rd Street North and Walnut Hill Circle, which the city vacated in early 2024. In June 2023 the authority approved a resolution to issue $30 million in bonds for the project by August. The Birmingham City Council approved the city's one-time payment of $5 million at their July 11, 2023 meeting.
In September 2023 the BJCC board and Live Nation signed a 20-year operating agreement for the amphitheater, which included a $5 million contribution from the company for construction. SDAC of Dallas County was given a $3.1 million contract for preliminary site grading in February 2024. A $46 million construction bid from Stone Building Company was accepted in May. A ceremonial groundbreaking on June 3. The project is anticipated to be completed in May or June 2025.
The Black Contractors Association of Alabama filed a lawsuit in late May, arguing that the BJCC failed to comply with conditions included in Birmingham's allocation of funds such as holding an informational meeting with historically-disadvantaged contractors prior to advertising bids. The case was dismissed by Judge Tamara Harris Johnson on June 11.
Operation
Live Nation plans to implement its "Green Nation" sustainability initiative at the Birmingham Amphitheater, which includes using recyclable containers and promoting composting and food donations.
References
- Johnson, Roy S. (October 18, 2022) "Proposed $50 million amphitheater at Carraway tests regional cooperation for economic development" The Birmingham News
- Johnson, Roy S. (October 18, 2022) "Proposed $50 million Carraway amphitheater would replace Oak Mountain’s: What it might look like" The Birmingham News
- Paepcke, Jon (October 19, 2022) "Jefferson County proposing $50 million North Birmingham amphitheater". WVTM13.com
- O'Leary, A. J. (October 24, 2022) "BJCC commits funding for North Birmingham amphitheater." Birmingham Business Journal
- Johnson, Roy S. (February 15, 2023) "BJCC approves purchase of 13.4 acres for Uptown amphitheater." AL.com
- Parker, Illyshia (February 16, 2023) "13.4-acre acquisition will serve as Uptown amphitheater site." Birmingham Business Journal
- Calmes, Olivianna (June 23, 2023) "Board of Trustees approve financing for new Birmingham amphitheater." WBRC.com
- Parker, Illyshia (July 11, 2023) "Uptown amphitheater project closer to materializing." Birmingham Business Journal
- Parker, Illyshia (September 13, 2023) "BJCC board of directors, Live Nation come to agreement." Birmingham Business Journal
- Garrison, Greg (January 11, 2024) "Birmingham’s Star Amphitheater construction begins this spring, possibly opening summer 2025." AL.com
- Bryant, Joseph D. (May 2, 2024) "BJCC to award $46 million contract for Birmingham amphitheater; site work begins." AL.com
- Bryant, Joseph D. (May 31, 2024) "Black contractors sue, ask for halt to construction of Birmingham amphitheater." AL.com
- Garrison, Greg (June 3, 2024) "Your first look at The Birmingham Amphitheater: When will it host its first concert?" AL.com
- Taylor, Drew & Amy Hybels (June 11, 2024) "Judge dismisses lawsuit involving Black contractors group, BJCC over Birmingham Amphitheater." cbs42.com