Plans have been approved for the construction of a US$ 30M amphitheater, dubbed Sunset Colosseum in Nashville, Tennessee. The plans were approved by the Murfreesboro City Council. This comes after the city entered into a partnership with the Colorado-based developer, Notes Live Inc, for the development of the project earlier this year.
Murfreesboro’s Mayor, Shane McFarland welcomed the Sunset Colosseum development, which he described as a high-quality entertainment venture. The mayor further stated that the public-private partnership would bring an attractive music amenity to Murfreesboro. Therefore, implying that it would serve in elevating the city in the Nashville music scene.
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Sunset Colosseum will be developed on an 18.2-acre city-owned land at the corner of Medical Center Parkway and Gateway Boulevard. Initially, the city council planned to donate the land for the project but later resolved that Notes Live would purchase it. Under the agreement terms, the developers will pay $163,350 annually for the property over a 20-year period. In addition to this, they will also pay 100% of the property taxes.
Development plans for the Sunset Colosseum project
The main focus of the Sunset Colosseum project is the 4,500-seat Stones River amphitheater. This will be a standard open-air venue intended for hosting large touring acts on a live music entertainment campus. Additional amenities planned for the amphitheater include 45 VIP firepit suites, with casual lawn seating for up to eight guests.
Besides the Stones River amphitheater, the Sunset Colosseum development also includes a full-service restaurant called Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern. This establishment will feature a high-quality tasting room, rooftop patio, and an integrated large outdoor patio. Another component involved in the project is the multi-purpose Boot Barn Hall. This venue can serve as 400-seat music and corporate event space or be transformed into 1,400-person stadium seating.
The Planning Commission and Council estimated that construction on the halls would be completed in 18 months. But the amphitheater would take between 20 to 24 months.
Conditions given to the project’s developer
As part of the development agreement for Sunset Colosseum, Notes Live must also comply with the Gateway Design Overlay (GDO) standards. Furthermore, the developer needs to complete a Traffic Impact Study to assist with the management of traffic volumes for large events.
Once the venue becomes operational, the developers are obligated to provide at least five ticketed events annually. This will apply to a paid attendance of more than 2,500. If the developer fails to comply, an amount equivalent to $15.74 per square foot for 15 acres will be paid to the city.
