North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Pre-construction work is expected to begin on the new Red Hat Amphitheater which is being relocated a block to the south to create room for an expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center.
Updated renderings of the planned amphitheater were released this month, showing textured sidewalks around the entrances to the venue and streets lined with trees to improve the acoustics.
City Council approved a $3.1 million contract to start work on the relocation, including moving utilities and installing construction fencing.
Mitchell Silver voted against the contract.
“Personally and professionally I am still struggling with the closure of South Street,” he explained. “I recognize I can’t abstain, so to stay consistent with my beliefs and values I feel I cannot vote yes.”
The city has approved closing a portion of South Street between McDowell and Dawson streets to make room for the relocated venue last year over the objections of some nearby residents. That portion of South Street will close on April 14, allowing construction staging to start.