GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Concert and event producer Live Nation Worldwide will sell the Acresure Amphitheater under a five-year agreement approved Friday by public officials who own the 12,000-person riverside venue. They will cooperate in the promotion, operation, and maintenance of the
Rich McKagan, executive director of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention and Arena Authority (CAA), said the partnership with Live Nation makes the amphitheater one of the “most successful venues in the Midwest, if not the nation.” He said they would become one.
“They are the largest amphitheater programmer, owner and operator in North America,” he said. “So their expertise in the form of show sourcing as well as best practices from the amphitheater will be part of what they bring to the table.”
Friday's agreement comes ahead of a planned May 21 groundbreaking ceremony for the amphitheater to be built at 201 S. Market Ave. in downtown Grand Rapids.
The $184 million venue is a major development in the city and part of an extensive redevelopment of 31 acres on the east end of the Grand River along Market Avenue SW between Fulton and Wealthy Streets. It is seen as a catalyst. Eventually, the plan is to transform the area, which currently houses a surface parking lot, city hall and mechanical facilities, into a vibrant mixed-use development with housing, green space and retail.
Related: New concert venue along the Grand Rapids River to be named Acresure Amphitheater
Live Nation is the parent company of Ticketmaster.
The approved agreement between CAA and Live Nation states that compensation to Live Nation is “expected to be based on a percentage of Acresure Amphitheater's gross revenues.” The agreement does not specify what that percentage will be.
“Compensation is still being negotiated,” said Jessica Wood, a lawyer at Dickinson Wright who works with CAA.
He said the compensation would be “structured in a way that doesn't jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the bonds issued by the city, but it's a complex formula that needs to be calculated.”
The amphitheater is scheduled to open in time for the 2026 summer concert season.
CAA operates and oversees Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place, and DeVos Performance Hall, and works with Live Nation to host events at the venues.
“They've been a major promoter in our market since the venue's inception,” McKagan said, referring to Live Nation's relationship with Van Andel Arena.
In addition to finalizing the financial terms of the deal, another element that must be resolved is access to the venue's booking calendar. The amphitheater will host national touring performances, but local groups such as the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra are also expected to use the venue.
“So what reservation protocols are going to be put in place to properly address all of these concerns?” McKagan said, explaining the work that needs to be completed.
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