COLORADO SPRINGS — The new Sunset Amphitheater has been a controversial topic for some living on the north side. Despite the initial push back, construction began Wednesday.
A nearby business manager and resident said they are cautiously optimistic about this new concert venue. Their biggest concerns— noise and parking.
"My lease will probably be up before its finished, so if I don't see any sound barriers or anything, I'll probably end up heading out of here," said one nearby resident Tyler Hall.
"I'm looking forward to business," said a Brass Tap manager David Normandin. "I'm just a little concerned about not having any parking in the area."
Notes Live, the company behind the venue, said it addressed these concerns.
CEO JW Roth said he purchased another five acres of land around the venue just for parking, in hopes it won't impact the surrounding neighborhoods.
"We're close to another thousand cars, so we have thousands of spaces to park up here," said Roth.
Roth said a 30-foot sound barrier will be constructed to try to limit the noise impact in the area.
"We have mitigation process throughout the campus up here, so if the sound ever does get too high, it will auto shut it down so sound and parking is not an issue," said Roth.
Notes Live said it's going to be the most luxurious music venue to be built in the country.
The groundbreaking comes in celebration of Live Notes signing a deal with AEG. Under the terms of the deal, the venue will host 40 concerts a year and will seat about 8,000 people.
Caroline Peters also spoke with many of those who live next to the new venue. They’re worried it will bring more traffic and noise to the area. One person I spoke to tells me he is selling his house after 20 years because the area is growing, and the amphitheater is part of this growth.
“I think it’s terrible for the neighborhood. It’s fine if you’re wanting building and a growth in the community but I don’t want that. I’m retired and I just want to live my life. It’s not going to benefit me any,” said Garry Schmid, a local resident.
On the other hand, there has been an outpouring of excitement to see the impact on the community and culture of Colorado Springs.
“We won’t have to do that drive to Red Rocks or stay in Red Rocks. We’ll be able to just come down here and listen to some music and go home, so it’ll be great,” said Janey Nickel, a local resident.
The concert venue is expected to create 500 jobs and pump $100 million a year into the local economy from ticket purchases, restaurant meals, hotel stays and the like.
It opens next summer, with concert tickets available next May said Roth.
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