GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The nonprofit group Grand Action 2.0 is submitting a request to Kent County and the City of Grand Rapids for the final $27 million needed to complete the construction costs for the Acrisure Amphitheater that is being built along the waterfront in downtown Grand Rapids.
The request for the public funding comes after voters approved in Tuesday's primary election a 3-percent increase in the hotel excise tax. boosting it to 8 percent. The Sports & Entertainment Facilities ballot request drew about 54 percent approval. It will support public development projects such as the amphitheater and the proposed downtown soccer stadium, and an aquarium project.
Grand Action 2.0 executive director Kara Wood told WOOD Radio what the timeline might be for processing the funding request.
"We hope that they would consider it very, very soon - hopefully, sometime in August or September. We know that they've got a lot of work on their agenda, but we would like them to prioritize this," Wood said.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held earlier this year for the amphitheater, which is being built at 201 Market St. SW, along the east bank of the Grand River on the southern edge of downtown. It will be owned and operated by the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention Arena Authority.
The amphitheater is scheduled to open by the spring of 2026. It will accommodate 7,000 seated spectators and 5,000 in the lawn area. There will be an upper and lower concourse, suites, a terrace and a VIP pavilion. Dining and retail with outdoor seating will be installed along the Market Avenue Plaza.
"We're certainly very pleased that Kent County voters said yes to the Sports & Entertainment Facilities proposal. And we're excited to continue the excitement about the Acrisure Amphitheater and the soccer stadium, going forward," Wood said.
One proposed location for the soccer complex would be along Lake Michigan Drive, just west of U.S. 131.
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