By John Dobberstein, Editor
The developer of Broken Arrow’s Sunset Amphitheater has closed on its purchase of land from the city and set a groundbreaking timeframe of late summer for the $71.5 million entertainment development.
Notes Live, doing business as Venu Holding Corp., purchased approximately 17 acres for the development but would not disclose the selling price. A development agreement approved by the City Council called for the Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority to sell approximately 15 acres to Notes Live at $38,462 per acre, with the option to sell another 7 acres to the firm at the same price per acre.
Notes live plans to begin construction on the 12,500-seat amphitheater later this year and finish in time for a planned summer 2025 opening. Together with the city’s investment of more than $22 million in infrastructure improvements, the entire development is estimated at $93 million.
A naming rights deal is to be part of the Broken Arrow development, although no agreement has been announced so far.
To be located just north of the Broken Arrow Events Park and east of the Creek Turnpike, the amphitheater will be operated by and booked in partnership with promotions giant Live Nation.
Earthwork began last week on the city’s portion of the project, which includes a series of road extensions and widening, sidewalks, lighting and construction of parking lots for attendees.
The city received a surprise last month when Live Nation requested the city to provide another 1,100 parking spaces for the amphitheater. City Manager Michael Spurgeon said the city is committed to meeting the request and is working with city staff to find options. The city is already leasing 1,000 parking spaces from Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow, which sits across the turnpike.
Live Nation is also facing some legal challenges, after the U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit seeking to break up its ownership of Ticketmaster. The lawsuit specifically describes Live Nation’s alleged monopolistic control of booking and promotion in the amphitheater business in an effort to keep out competition.
Through a spokesperson Notes Live said it did not expect the legal challenge to affect its amphitheater operations.
Ticketmaster is also working through massive security breach that has compromised data from more than 500 million user accounts. Live Nation recently confirmed the breach after trade media reported on it last week.
Broken Arrow’s amphitheater, modeled after another Notes Live facility in Colorado Springs to open Aug. 9, will feature luxury fire pit suites, traditionally reserved seating, a landscaped grass berm and custom-built “Owners Club” inset within the “hydro-chill” grass berm.
Notes Live has promised a steady stream of high-quality talent will visit the amphitheater, which will also play host to some local events.
“Broken Arrow is exactly the kind of place we like to build – the kind of place that has everything, besides a place for national acts to come play music outdoors,” Chairman and CEO of Venu, JW Roth said in a news release.
“We are proud to partner with Venu on this amazing venue that will not only draw first class musical acts to Broken Arrow for citizens and visitors, but also attract future development opportunities, generate jobs, and enhance the tax base which will benefit our city and region,” said Mayor Debra Wimpee in a statement.
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