Richmond Hill City Manager Mike Melton told city council this week that the City Center, which will have a conference center and office space, and the amphitheater projects will both be completed soon. Both are located at the back of J.F. Gregory Park.
The amphitheater is slated to be completed within 6-8 months. Melton said the $200,000 project will be a venue for future concerts in the park. He said the facility will accommodate attendance figures of 5,000-6,000 people, and it will feature dressing rooms and a bathroom in the stage area for use by scheduled performers.Mayor Richard Davis said there will most likely be a major concert scheduled to kick off the grand opening of the facility.
"It will be the only outdoor amphitheater I know about this side of Chastain Park in Atlanta," Davis said.
Adjacent to the amphitheater will be the city center, which Melton said will be up by the end of the year. It will feature a conference center with an approximate seating capacity of 200 for seated dining or 600 for auditorium seating. It will have office space as well, such as the new CVB office. The venue is planned to be one that will draw conference and business groups for events.
Melton said the slab was poured Monday and "J.T. Turner is moving right along and doing an outstanding job with it."
In other business:
- The final site plans for Jackson Court was approved, which is the project to feature laser tag and other kid-themed facilities. Jackson said he is ready to fully invest in the project because "even though the economy is bad, we still need something for our kids."
- Outgoing Planning and Zoning Chairman Les Fussell was presented with a clock with a city plaque on it and thanked by the mayor and council for his dedication to the P&Z commission. Billy Albritton was recently appointed as the new chairman.
- Richmond Hill resident Teresa Gilmore was inducted to fill the one vacant seat on the CVB board. Gilmore said she has experience in bringing events to Richmond Hill, such as a recent bridal fashion show, and she coordinates events for a nursing home. Mayor Davis said Gilmore will be an asset seeing how the City Center will soon be open, which will create a need for her talents.