Community, city and state leaders, flanked by representatives from First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra, gathered at the Upper Harbor site in Minneapolis on May 4 to break ground on the construction of the Community Performing Arts Center (CPAC) amphitheater—officially launching a project that has been more than a decade in the making.
Slated to open in summer 2027, the 8,000-capacity concert venue will host around 50 ticketed events, plus community activities, outdoors each year from May to October. The CPAC amphitheater will be operated by the Port of Minneapolis—a joint venture between First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra—with $3 in proceeds from each ticket sale reinvested directly into the local community through a partnership with the African American Community Development Corporation (AACDC).
The amphitheater is part of the first phase of the Upper Harbor redevelopment that is reconnecting and opening up the Mississippi riverfront to the North Side.
“This amphitheater will be nothing short of iconic—downtown views, river vibes, Northside pride—all while listening to the best tunes with your Minneapolis family. This vision of the north will be a cherished venue for generations to come, and I can’t wait to sing along with Minneapolis on opening night,” said Mayor Jacob Frey.
Construction for the amphitheater—which was designed by LSE Architects—will be managed by a partnership between Kraus-Anderson and Zuri 3, who share goals in prioritizing community interests and workforce objectives. The project will create more than 500 construction jobs and once completed, amphitheater operations will employ more than 250 people.
“This groundbreaking marks more than a new stage at Upper Harbor. It’s an investment in community, creativity, and the positive energy that will serve North Minneapolis and the rest of the city for generations to come,” said Minneapolis Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, Ward 4.
New music venue is powered by partnerships
When the amphitheater opens, it will expand the musical footprint of Minneapolis, featuring both world-class visiting musical acts and community artists and ensembles. A portion of the venue will be enclosed for smaller events on a year-round basis with a strong focus on including Northside residents, businesses and organizations.
“Minneapolis has one of the most vibrant, diverse music scenes in the world, and this amphitheater is a powerful statement that we intend to keep it that way. Live music is about gathering with friends and loved ones to celebrate community; being recharged by the powerful energy music provides, and in this case, investing in the Northside for generations to come,” said First Avenue Productions President and CEO Dayna Frank. “This amphitheater will be a home for every kind of music lover and every kind of artist. First Avenue has always believed that live music belongs to everyone, and partnering with the Minnesota Orchestra, the AACDC, and the City to build something rooted in the Northside community is exactly the kind of work we’re here to do. We can’t wait to welcome everyone in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and across the country to this stage.”
Selected as the Community Entity for the project in 2023, the African American Community Development Corporation (AACDC) will serve as the fund manager for the CPAC amphitheater, ensuring full implementation of the community benefits outlined in the City-approved Community Benefits Agreement.
“As the designated Community Entity, the AACDC is here to protect and advance the interests of North Minneapolis throughout the construction and long-term operations of the CPAC,” said Keith Baker, AACDC Chair. “We are ensuring that the economic, cultural and workforce benefits promised to this community are delivered and that revenue from the per-ticket fee is directed back into the community as outlined in the UHT Coordinated Plan.”
The Minnesota Orchestra also joined the project in 2023 and has helped to raise needed private funds from a consortium of supporters to advance the public-private partnership at the heart of the project. When the venue is complete, the Orchestra will play both a performance role—occasionally playing at the venue each season—and an operational one, working alongside First Avenue on the amphitheater’s long-term oversight.
“We are proud to partner with First Avenue, the AACDC and the City of Minneapolis to bring a new music venue to Minneapolis,” said Isaac Thompson, President and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra. “The CPAC amphitheater is a true example of a public and private partnership designed to make a positive difference in our community, and I’d like to thank the coalition of generous funders who rallied to support the project, motivated by a belief in the role music can play in strengthening our City. We look forward to launching a new era of music-making along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.”
More on Upper Harbor
The Upper Harbor, a City-owned 48-acre riverfront site off Dowling Avenue No. and 1-94 is being redeveloped by the City of Minneapolis in partnership with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) and local developers with additional investments from the State of Minnesota.
The redevelopment reconnects North Minneapolis to the Mississippi River, and in addition to the amphitheater, will provide new affordable housing, living-wage jobs, new commercial spaces and a new riverfront regional park owned by MPRB, which will open to the public this summer.