The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex has formed a partnership with Live Nation, to manage a soon-to-be-constructed Birmingham amphitheater.
Live Nation, a multimedia company that promotes, operates and manages ticket sales, also owns the Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Shelby County.
“This is the culmination of a yearlong effort to bring together the partners and the necessary resources to make this project a reality,” said BJCC CEO Tad Snider. “It shows yet again that our community can accomplish great things when we work together.”
The amphitheater, to be named the Star at Uptown, will be in the Druid Hills neighborhood on the former site of Carraway Hospital. Site work is expected to begin by early 2024 with an anticipated opening in the spring of 2025.
“This venue will be a great community asset for Birmingham,” said Jordan Zachary, co-president of U.S. concerts for Live Nation. “We are excited to partner with the BJCC to bring best-in-class entertainment and an amazing hospitality experience to both residents and visitors.”
The projected cost for building the new amphitheater is an estimated $50 million.
In order to lower the amount of funds the BJCC will need to borrow for the project, the BJCC, city of Birmingham, Jefferson County and Live Nation are each giving $5 million. The BJCC, which will own the 9,380-seat amphitheater, also authorized $30 million in financing for construction of the facility.
Other amphitheaters in the Yellowhammer State include Sand Mountain Amphitheater in Albertville, built in 2021, and Huntsville’s Orion Amphitheater, built in 2022.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
