By Marky Wagner
The City of Minneapolis gave final approval for the Community Performing Arts Center (CPAC) in late July. On July 24Mayor Jacob Frey joined Minnesota Legislators Senator Bobby Joe Champion and Representative Fue Lee, 4th Ward City Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, and representatives from First Avenue at a signing ceremony for Community Performing Arts Center that marks a major milestone in the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment on the Northside.
“Imagine a warm summer night in Minneapolis, sitting by the river, watching your favorite band play at a state-of-the-art venue – that’s what we’re delivering to the Northside,” said Frey. The performing arts center is seen as a “generational investment” that will provide jobs and tourism to this part of the city. This long-term investment “creates real jobs, builds community wealth, and opens doors for residents who historically have been left out of major economic opportunities,” said Latrisha Vetaw.
The City Council approved several actions that move the amphitheater project forward. They include a redevelopment and funding agreement for the Port of Minneapolis (POM) to construct the CPAC; a long term lease and use agreement for the POM to operate the facility; and finally a $3 million appropriation to include completion of the new parkway at the site. The POM is an equal partnership between First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra.
First Avenue will be the principal event producer, with ongoing governance from the Minnesota Orchestra. The Minnesota Orchestra put together a fundraising coalition this summer to raise private funds to advance the building of the amphitheater. “This milestone is the result of countless hours of community planning, co-creation and dedicated neighborhood input,” said Dayna Frank, President and CEO of First Avenue Productions. The partnership will “provide consistent leadership, artistic vision and financial stability for the CPAC. The POM will also partner with the African American Community Development Corporation (AACDC). The AACDC will manage a $3 charge on all tickets that will be reinvested in Northside cultural, economic and social initiatives. They will also provide input on performers for community events and ensure accountability through a community benefits agreement.
This long-term project began in 2015 when the Army Corp of Engineers closed the upper locks at St. Anthony Falls and effectively ended large terminal operations at the Upper Harbor Site. The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park Board began to engage citizens of North and Northeast Minneapolis about redevelopment of the site. The City has been working with United Properties and First Avenue since 2017 to develop the Upper Harbor Project which was approved by the City Council in October of 2021 after the inclusion of extensive community engagement and input. The concept plan was approved by the City Council in 2019 and established the Upper Harbor Collaborative Planning Committee. In 2019 the City Council approved the coordinated plan for the redevelopment of the Upper Harbor Terminal.
Construction of the project began in 2022 and has continued to the present. The first phase has included demolition, soil work, site preparation, public infrastructure including streets and utilities, and park improvements. Phase 1 construction will include mixed use affordable housing, living wage jobs and the Community Performing Center.
The 8000-seat venue is expected to host 50 ticketed events every year. In addition to world class musical acts, the amphitheater will also be the site of year-round community programing in public spaces, including Northside residents, businesses and organizations. Construction of the project will include 500 jobs, and once completed the amphitheater is expected to employ 250 people. A Fall ground breaking is anticipated with a date yet to be confirmed.