The scope of a downtown Winston-Salem amphitheater project has expanded to the $25 million range, versus the previous estimate of $10 million. Plans call for opening in 2027, at least several months later than previously expected.
The 5,000-seat amphitheater will be built within a largely vacant block owned by Flow Automotive CEO Don Flow and bound by Fifth, Spruce, Sixth and Marshall Streets near the Benton Convention Center. The project is a joint venture by Flow and Concert Stuff Group CEO Jim Brammer and public funding is not involved.
The city of Winston-Salem is considering a revised noise ordinance that will enable concerts at the venue, while addressing neighbors’ concerns. A resolution is expected by this spring.
“Community support for the amphitheater has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic since we announced the project last summer,” amphitheater President and General Manager Bucky Dame said. “Since the announcement, our vision for the amphitheater has continued to evolve and expand, resulting in design and approval challenges that the design team overcame with a ground-up construction model versus the original concept that called for modular structures that were built off-site and then assembled on-site, that could be construed as temporary.
“With our increased budget and enhanced design, we are building a world-class amphitheater in a way that ensures it will be a driving economic force for the downtown area of Winston-Salem,” he said.
The group can’t book performers until the noise ordinance is resolved, Dame said.
The amphitheater is part of the 10-year Downtown Winston-Salem Plan, adopted by the Winston-Salem City Council in 2023.
Images reflecting the new design of the amphitheater project are available to view at winstonsalemamp.com.
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