Demolition work underway at former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Demolition work underway at former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre property in Pelham
Updated: 9:34 PM CDT May 6, 2025
INFORMATION ON WHAT HAPPENED. WELL, TONIGHT THE CITY OF PELHAM IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO REPLACING THE OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATER. CITY LEADERS HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING, SHARING PLANS TO PURCHASE THE SITE. WVTM 13 ZOE BLAIR SPENT THE DAY IN PELHAM TALKING TO BUSINESS OWNERS WHO SAW A BOOST IN SALES FROM THE AMPHITHEATER. SHE’S JOINING US LIVE NOW, ZOE. HOW ARE THEY FEELING ABOUT THE CITY’S DECISION? JARVIS BRITTANY I SPOKE TO SEVERAL LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS TODAY WHO TELL ME THAT THEY’RE GLAD TO SEE THAT THIS LAND WILL NOT BE GOING TO WASTE. NOW, BEFORE THIS PROPERTY BECOMES THE CITY OF PELHAM, LIVE NATION IS ACTUALLY GOING TO TEAR DOWN THIS CURRENT AMPHITHEATER, MEANING WE DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THIS LAND WILL BE USED FOR. BUT THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS TELL ME THEY HOPE THAT THE REPLACEMENT WILL DRIVE THEIR SALES IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE AMPHITHEATER DID. I THINK LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, I THINK HAVING MORE RETAIL AND MORE ENTERTAINING VENUES. IT WILL ONLY BENEFIT ALL OF US HERE IN THE CITY. JAVIER JUAREZ IS THE OWNER OF MARGARITA GRILL, A RESTAURANT LESS THAN A MILE FROM OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATER. HE SAYS THE VENUE USED TO BRING THEM BIG. BUSINESS. IT WENT UP EASILY BY 20 TO 30%, BUT ALSO WOULD EXPOSE OUR BUSINESS TO FOLKS THAT WERE NOT FROM THIS AREA, AND THEY WOULD BECOME EVENTUALLY CUSTOMERS OF OURS BECAUSE OF THAT EXPOSURE. WHEN THE AMPHITHEATER CLOSED, SO DID THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT EXPOSURE. I WAS VERY UPSET. I FELT THAT WE HAD LOST A HUGE REVENUE FOR THE CITY, AND SO I WAS SOMEWHAT. DISCOURAGED BECAUSE WE WERE LOSING BUSINESS, NOT JUST US IN THE RESTAURANT, BUT ALSO IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY AND THE GAS STATIONS AS WELL. THAT’S WHY JUAREZ AND OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS ARE HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT THE CITY’S PLANS. WE ARE SO PLEASED WITH HOW THE CITY TOOK THE CHALLENGE, AND THAT’S WHAT WE NEEDED FOR US TO KEEP ON GROWING IN OUR CITY FOR THE BEST. AND JUAREZ’S HOPES OF SEEING ANOTHER ENTERTAINMENT VENUE MAY BE CLOSER THAN HE THINKS. CITY LEADERS SAY THAT IS THE WHOLE REASON THEY DECIDED TO BUY THE PROPERTY. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE CITY WANTED TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY IS BECAUSE LIVE NATION HAD A PLAN TO TURN THIS INTO RESIDENTIAL AREA. WE REALIZE THAT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HAVING AN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT LIKE THIS AT THIS LOCATION, AND WILL EVENTUALLY PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NOW, THE CITY OF PELHAM CANNOT CLOSE ON THIS $5.3 MILLION DEAL UNTIL AFTER THIS CURRENT AMPHITHEATER IS DEMOLISHED. THAT’S EXPECTED TO HAPPEN MID JUNE. AFTER IT’S TORN DOWN, THEY’LL HAVE FIVE DAYS TO CLOSE ON THE DEAL.
Demolition work underway at former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre property in Pelham
Updated: 9:34 PM CDT May 6, 2025
Video above: Previous coverage The remnants of a long-standing entertainment venue in Pelham are quickly going away.The city said demolition work is underway at the site of the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre.Photos provided by the city showed large piles of metal debris all around the property.”The site that once echoed with music will soon be reimagined into a vibrant destination that reflects Pelham’s energy, growth, and future…. Here’s to honoring the past and building what’s next!” the city stated in a social media post.Pelham announced in February the city was buying the property with plans to expand the arts and entertainment district.Previous story: ‘A plethora of activities’: City of Pelham discusses buying the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre property
Video above: Previous coverage
The remnants of a long-standing entertainment venue in Pelham are quickly going away.
The city said demolition work is underway at the site of the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre.
Photos provided by the city showed large piles of metal debris all around the property.
“The site that once echoed with music will soon be reimagined into a vibrant destination that reflects Pelham’s energy, growth, and future…. Here’s to honoring the past and building what’s next!” the city stated in a social media post.
Pelham announced in February the city was buying the property with plans to expand the arts and entertainment district.
Previous story: ‘A plethora of activities’: City of Pelham discusses buying the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre property
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