Hopefully a group of downtowners tackle that when they need to replace the bridge some time in the 2050s.
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Love this website! Thanks for sharing.
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I don’t have time to watch the whole thing right now but I skimmed it and while they talked plenty about the parking lot on that block and the slip lane proposal, I didn’t catch any direct consideration of putting the amphitheater there.
You might be right, though- they seem to like the idea of using the old stub of South Street for access to a loading dock, parking for bands’ tour buses, etc. That would be hard to do without a convenient newly closed street to turn into a loading zone and parking lot.
I stubbornly still don’t feel satisfied because they never directly addressed it and we’re stuck (forever?) without a certain answer, and only guesses and speculation to go on. I’m still suspicious that it was never even actually considered at all.
At this point, however, it’s clear that the ship has sailed and there’s no turning back. This has enough votes to pass, and with that, South Street is done. Time to focus on making it the best amphitheater possible, and coming up with the best mitigation plan possible for South Street.
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So, I just watched the entire city council session on RedHat. Like others, I came away from it with a sense that it will pass the votes next month, but that the city would like to see additional focus on (non car) connectivity, pedestrian safety, additional community benefits from ticket sales, and a desire to address the ugly gravel parking lot that sits south of the project.
I thought that the presenter (an admitted former debater) performed a master class in communication. She came prepared with a thorough and compelling story that blunted a lot of questions that could have been asked.
The one sticking point that she didn’t really answer well was why the council didn’t know earlier that the proposal was going to be really the only viable solution to the project within the required scope and available budget.
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I am now a huge Kerry Painter fan. Amazing insights and details shared here.
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RHA got a couple strong reaffirmations during remarks at this morning’s Raleigh CVB annual meeting.
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I reached out to a reputable 
to ask if that south west plot on the other side of the tracks was considered. This is the response:
I asked them about that site and they did look at it and my understanding is that the shape of it makes it harder to fit all of the needed elements like loading and ingress/egress and then have to be careful of pointing it directly south into residential areas too. But it’s the shape. Just doesn’t quite fit everything as well as the site above.
I was clear to articulate with this amazing diagram:
Hopefully that helps. It was considered, but based on the criteria they discussed in the session, it didn’t meet the needs. For those that haven’t seen that part of the session, the following YT link should take you to the start of the “New Amphitheater Needs”. Starts at 1 hour 34 minutes and change.
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I actually performed on Red hat stage during the Raleigh rock and roll marathon one year, and I can tell you from an artist’s perspective the current facility is trash
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Yet the acts still came. No doubt it’s trash. You can tell by looking at it from afar. It’s actually embarrassing. Imagine the attention Raleigh will get when we have a fantastic facility!
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The roof panels vibrated with the bass drum, lol…
I do think the point in the slide above about the south st stub creating easy load in/out and BOH facilities is a good argument for the current design. Yes, it will be a renown venue
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It was built as a temporary placeholder and, as such, has far far exceeded expectations. Now it’s time for a permanent larger world class facility one block over.
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I had some friends from DC come to the Turnpike Troubadours show at Band Together a couple years ago. They loved the venue being in the middle of the city, but the first question I got was “why are the bathrooms in a trailer”? Very excited to see plans for a permanent venue continue to evolve after this thing moves forward in September (fingers crossed).
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In effect, it’s a great facility if that facility were set up temporarily for a festival and then taken away. The fact that it’s been there for YEARS is another story altogether.
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Even though we are going to be trading seat for seat between the existing and future theater, that seating for all will be improved. While the current RedHat includes a number of grass seats, the render looks like everybody will be able to sit in a chair or on a bleacher.
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The seats up front will hopefully be removable for a pit. Gotta have a pit. If there is no pit then don’t even build it.
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There’s a nice pit where the Lynde was supposed to go. That place could have the best live shows…
Also, this reminded me of a comment I saw on Instagram about the move. Someone needed to complain that they go to the symphony and can hear Red Hat concerts inside the building over the symphony. I can’t imagine that’s true, but it made me laugh anyways. Damn kids and their rock and roll! I’m trying to listen to Beethoven!
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In the recent council meeting, the hosting of the ice rink was mentioned. I’m pretty positive that it’s going to remain at RedHat when it moves. This would mean that a pit would still be there.
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I may be 40 and losing my hair at an exponential rate but I still throw down in the mosh pit. Also, I love classical music too. Beethoven rules.
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Agreeing with you on this statement. Love me some pit tickets
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