MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minneapolis officials have formally approved the development of an 8,000-seat Community Performing Arts Center, a key component of the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment project in North Minneapolis.
The signing ceremony, held on the riverfront site, included Mayor Jacob Frey, City Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, and representatives from First Avenue, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the African American Community Development Corporation (AACDC).
The venue will be jointly operated by First Avenue, a well-known Minneapolis nightclub, and the Minnesota Orchestra. It is expected to host approximately 50 ticketed events annually. Under a revenue-sharing agreement, $3 from each ticket sale will be reinvested into North Minneapolis through AACDC, which will oversee the distribution of funds toward local social, cultural, and economic initiatives.
“This is a generational investment,” said Mayor Frey during the ceremony, emphasizing the venue’s potential to generate jobs and tourism while reinvesting in the surrounding community.
Council Member Vetaw described the broader redevelopment as a long-term investment in North Minneapolis, citing its potential to create employment opportunities and build community wealth. “This project creates real jobs and opens doors for residents who have historically been left out of major economic opportunities,” she said.
The Minnesota Orchestra has launched a fundraising coalition to support construction costs. Once completed, the Orchestra will perform at the venue each season and collaborate with First Avenue on operational oversight.
“This milestone is the result of countless hours of community planning and input,” said Dayna Frank, President and CEO of First Avenue Productions. She described the planned amphitheater as a “boutique urban venue” designed to reflect community priorities.
Minnesota Orchestra Board Chair Nancy Lindahl noted the partnership’s goal of expanding the city’s musical footprint. “We are grateful to the coalition of funders who supported this vision and believe in the role music and the arts can play in strengthening the city,” she said.
Beyond concerts, the venue will host year-round community programming, with a focus on engaging Northside residents and businesses. Construction is expected to generate over 500 jobs, with more than 250 permanent positions once the venue is operational.
AACDC Board Chair Keith Baker said the organization looks forward to implementing public art, career development, and vendor opportunities tied to the project. “We are excited to collaborate with the community and bring years of planning to life,” he said.
Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment overview
The Community Performing Arts Center is part of a $350 million redevelopment of the 48-acre Upper Harbor Terminal site, located near Dowling Avenue North and Interstate 94. The project is being led by the City of Minneapolis in partnership with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board and local developers and supported by state and federal funding.
Plans for the site include affordable housing, a health and wellness hub, 20 acres of riverside parkland, and hundreds of new living-wage jobs. Infrastructure work was completed last summer, with construction on the amphitheater scheduled to begin this fall. The venue is expected to open for the 2027 concert season.
