LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — A major project in downtown Lynchburg, that’s been in the works for more than 20 years, is coming to life. The city has invested $8 million into the Riverfront Park Amphitheater, and the structure is coming together quickly.
“Things are going really well right now. The contractor is significantly ahead of schedule, and we’re super excited,” said Clay Simmons, Lynchburg’s deputy director of Public Works.
Simmons said it’s exciting to watch the structure come to life, right before his eyes.
It’ll start looking an awful lot like a finished structure here pretty soon,” he said.
Downtown business owners, like John Seinar, who owns Bikes Unlimited and Trailhead restaurant, said they’re excited for the new addition.
“I can’t explain how excited we are for the amphitheater project. When they first presented the idea for the project, we were huge advocates for it,” he said. “I’m just really excited that the city rallied behind it and it went through, and they’re getting it done.”
Seinar said once open, he thinks it’ll drive more business downtown.
“Downtown was missing a really big, main draw. We have a bunch of phenomenal small businesses downtown, and that has always kind of been a collective draw,” Seinar said. “Now, we have, like, a really big hub that I think will draw a lot of people not only from Lynchburg, but from hours away. It’s going to drive a ton of revenue to our city, it’s going to bring people who don’t normally come down here and showcase all of the great existing businesses we have down here.”
Dave Henderson, who owns the Water Dog and the Glass House, right beside the amphitheater, said he’s already seen more business from the first phase of the Riverfront Park project. In May, the Kiwanis playground and an indoor restroom facility opened on Jefferson Street.
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There’s definitely been an influx of new customers,” he said. “We really think it’s going to bring a new vibrancy to downtown, and we’re excited to see what happens.
Henderson has owned businesses downtown for years. He said it’s been awesome to watch the Hill City evolve.
“If you had asked me, when we first opened the Water Dog back in 2016, if I ever thought anything like this would ever happen, I’d say ‘Never in my wildest dreams,'” he said. “Seeing how the city has come together to support these projects has been really great to see. I love seeing the city invest in its downtown, and being a part of it is really special.”
Business owners said the amphitheater is exactly what downtown Lynchburg needs.
“I think it’s a new vibrancy that is really exciting for downtown, and I think a lot of my business neighbors are really excited,” Henderson said.
The city’s obviously invested a lot of money down here. We’re really thankful for that, and it means a lot to the people who not only live down here but own businesses. It affects everyone in town, so I think it’s a great thing,” Seinar added.
Simmons said the amphitheater structure will be mostly finished in the next three or four months. Then, they hope to have it up and running by next spring, with acts coming to play in the Hill City.
The city has said they plan to have a shuttle service available, while utilizing downtown parking, when acts perform at the venue.
“We’re really hoping to get some higher-end acts by having the level of facility that we’re gonna have when we’re done. So, hopefully it’ll be a big success,” he said.
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