Construction Begins on Pickens Amphitheater

Work has begun on the first phase of the City of Pickens' new amphitheater on West Main Street.

During Monday night's city council meeting, council approved awarding a $386,000 contract to Durham Greene, Inc. for the first phase of construction.

The first phase includes building the amphitheater structure, paving the front parking lot, site cleanup, landscape, electrical work and decorative lighting.

City Administrator Katherine Brackett said the work should be done by April 15, in time for the 29^th Annual Pickens Azalea Festival, set for April 19-20.

She said the project is being funded by a $2 million hospitality bond issued by the city for recreation projects.

Council also approved allocating an additional $30,000 for the city's hospitality fund for the project to assist with engineering fees.

“Total project cost is $430,000 (for the first phase),” Brackett said. “That includes all engineering, survey.”

The amphitheater will be located on 5.5 acres of land on W. Main Street, near Ann Street.

Plans have been modified, moving the amphitheater closer to the road.

“We had it set back, to save some landscape that was there,” Brackett said. “We're since going to remove that landscape and press it up closer. It would really would save $50,000 to remove the retaining wall and all the additional fill that was going to have to be done. It'll make it better for future phases, too. It'll be visible from street level.”

The full project calls for an open-air pavilion, completion of the amphitheater, green space, parking areas and trails and boardwalks and an outdoor classroom space.

Future phases will be complete as funding becomes available," Brackett said.

“The next big phase will be the open air pavilion and the top on the amphitheater,” Brackett said.

She said the city is trying to provide more options for residents and visitors alike.

"We're trying to provide recreation and entertainment for not only people that live here, but all the tourists that are coming through to visit the state park, the lakes, the mountains," Brackett said. "We want more reasons for people to come to Pickens.

"We need to create things for people to do here that create an experience, so that they can come and stay here for four hours," she continued. "We're trying to build our retail base. We're trying to build our restaurant base. On top of that, we need to build entertainment too. It's all about building experiences, trying to get tourists here and keep them here."