Grand Rapids businesses eager for amphitheater's completion
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Construction is moving full speed ahead on the Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids.
Since on the anticipated 12,000-seat outdoor venue on Market Avenue, crews have come a long way. The structure rises high into the sky and the roof is nearly complete.
The amphitheater is expected to open in time for next summer's concert season.
Project leaders say the venue will bring in 300,000 visitors per season. They've pitched the amphitheater as a way to grow the local economy and support and launch new businesses.
Live Nation on deck to run Grand Rapids amphitheater concerts
Since opening in 2019, Social House bar and restaurant has benefitted from being directly across from Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids. Crowds head over there following sports games and concerts, often packing Social House on weekends.
'For the (Grand Rapids) Griffins, we get a great turnout,' Social House Director of Operations Michael Lawrence said. 'The (Grand Rapids) Rise too. Any country concert's always huge, country concerts are awesome. But really any event that's at Van Andel, we get a little something for it, for sure.'
Lawrence is hoping for more of the same from the amphitheater. Project leaders have said it could host 50 events per season.
'I think it's gonna be huge,' Lawrence said. 'If you're talking about another 50 days of 10,000 to 12,000 people within an earshot of us, that's gonna be awesome.'
The project will bring 190 additional new parking spaces on top of current available parking. The only worry for Lawrence is that it won't be enough.
Grand Rapids OKs plan for parking ramp at amphitheater
'Grand Rapids just isn't great for parking, especially for employees of downtown,' he said. 'That's probably the biggest issue. I don't see one negative side for the amphitheater, I think it's just gonna be positive all the way around.'
From its own windows, Founders Brewing Company nearby has watched the amphitheater rise up to the sky. The brewery said it's excited about the project.
'Our team is working on plans to support the additional foot traffic we're expecting during concerts and events,' the brewery wrote in an emailed statement. 'It's always a bonus to get more people downtown enjoying Founders and visiting all of the amazing breweries, restaurants, and other attractions Grand Rapids has to offer.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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