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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
2.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 07/28/2025
Agenda Item:
Discuss Vetter Stone Amphitheater Capital Improvements
Recommendation/Action(s):
Discussion
Summary:
In the coming months, we will begin to review the 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Included in that capital plan will be staff's recommended improvements to the Vetter Stone Amphitheater, addressing both operational and useability issues at the park. Reviews of these amphitheater projects are outside the organization's typical review cadence of the CIP. The recommended improvements of a permanent roof, permanent seating and storage facility are being brought before the Council now for feedback because of the timing of construction, resulting in the necessity for staff to work with various entertainment promoters on the 2026 summer schedule at the amphitheater and adjust accordingly.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater at Riverfront Park: History
The idea for Riverfront Park came out of a community visioning process called “Envision 2020” combined with the City of Mankato’s strategic plan, with an identified goal for downtown revitalization – City Center Renaissance. The vision was to “redefine and revitalize the downtowns of Mankato and lower North Mankato as the Valley, a center for the region that is the cultural, civic, governmental, residential, and entertainment heartbeat of the area.” Riverfront Park was planned with a goal to reconnect the river by establishing a river way from Land of Memories to Kiwanis Park. Riverfront Park was constructed on the site of a former storage yard in 2009.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater at Riverfront Park: Today
Riverfront Park attracts visitors for cultural events and festivals at Vetter Stone Amphitheater. The park also allows for access to the Minnesota River Trail, views and access to the Minnesota River and downtown Mankato, playground equipment, open space, and picnicking. Riverfront Park also provides a 1,240-square pavilion which offers public restrooms, a lobby, and a sheltered picnic area. Riverfront Park, specifically Vetter Stone Amphitheater, has been a significant regional success and hosts an average of eight major shows annually, including many accredited musical artists, including Willie Nelson, Pat Benatar, and Merle Haggard. The Amphitheater is also home to popular local festivals and celebrations, such as Ribfest, which attracts over 20,000 people annually.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater’s challenge is its accessibility for many small local organizations and entertainers. The temporary rigging system and seating setup required for most events entails a significant cost that users must bear, creating a usability gap among many smaller regional events, organizations and businesses that would otherwise love to use the space. Every year, over 45 different events, such as weddings and private business gatherings, are turned away due to the cost. Groups such as the Mankato Symphony, Solstice, Arts by the River and Riverbend Blues Festival that once held their events at Vetter Stone Amphitheater no longer can afford to. A permanent roof, rigging system and fixed seating at the amphitheater would provide a more conducive and cost-friendly environment for events of 500 to 1,500 guests to utilize the space. The financial impact of a permanent roof structure and seating at Vetter Stone Amphitheater would be significant to potential end users. Today, the average 1,000-person event setup and rental costs reach approximately $15,000. These improvements would allow for these sized events to reduce overhead costs by over 60%.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater at Riverfront Park: Funding and Future Planning
In 2023, the City of Mankato began working with Lawal Scott Erickson Architects to conduct comprehensive master planning of Vetter Stone Amphitheater. The planning was focused on an initial phase of upgrades to Vetter Stone Amphitheater, including a permanent roof, permanent seating and additional storage. All the while ensuring these improvements were positioned well for amphitheater operational and amenity improvements in future phases. Thereafter, the City of Mankato sought $1.8 million in state funding over the course of the 2024 and 2025 bonding cycles. Despite support by our local legislators, no appropriation was made by the state. However, at this time, the Riverfront Park Capital fund does have cash and investments of $2,595,000. Staff recommend that these funds are sufficient to fund the initial recommended improvement in phase 1 to the Vetter Stone Amphitheater to include the permanent stage, permanent seating, and storage facility.
Council Discussion:
Staff will provide an overview of the recommended improvements, construction schedule and capital cash flow impacts to the Riverfront Capital Fund. Staff will look to the City Council to provide any comments and questions from the City Council on the proposed project.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater at Riverfront Park: History
The idea for Riverfront Park came out of a community visioning process called “Envision 2020” combined with the City of Mankato’s strategic plan, with an identified goal for downtown revitalization – City Center Renaissance. The vision was to “redefine and revitalize the downtowns of Mankato and lower North Mankato as the Valley, a center for the region that is the cultural, civic, governmental, residential, and entertainment heartbeat of the area.” Riverfront Park was planned with a goal to reconnect the river by establishing a river way from Land of Memories to Kiwanis Park. Riverfront Park was constructed on the site of a former storage yard in 2009.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater at Riverfront Park: Today
Riverfront Park attracts visitors for cultural events and festivals at Vetter Stone Amphitheater. The park also allows for access to the Minnesota River Trail, views and access to the Minnesota River and downtown Mankato, playground equipment, open space, and picnicking. Riverfront Park also provides a 1,240-square pavilion which offers public restrooms, a lobby, and a sheltered picnic area. Riverfront Park, specifically Vetter Stone Amphitheater, has been a significant regional success and hosts an average of eight major shows annually, including many accredited musical artists, including Willie Nelson, Pat Benatar, and Merle Haggard. The Amphitheater is also home to popular local festivals and celebrations, such as Ribfest, which attracts over 20,000 people annually.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater’s challenge is its accessibility for many small local organizations and entertainers. The temporary rigging system and seating setup required for most events entails a significant cost that users must bear, creating a usability gap among many smaller regional events, organizations and businesses that would otherwise love to use the space. Every year, over 45 different events, such as weddings and private business gatherings, are turned away due to the cost. Groups such as the Mankato Symphony, Solstice, Arts by the River and Riverbend Blues Festival that once held their events at Vetter Stone Amphitheater no longer can afford to. A permanent roof, rigging system and fixed seating at the amphitheater would provide a more conducive and cost-friendly environment for events of 500 to 1,500 guests to utilize the space. The financial impact of a permanent roof structure and seating at Vetter Stone Amphitheater would be significant to potential end users. Today, the average 1,000-person event setup and rental costs reach approximately $15,000. These improvements would allow for these sized events to reduce overhead costs by over 60%.
Vetter Stone Amphitheater at Riverfront Park: Funding and Future Planning
In 2023, the City of Mankato began working with Lawal Scott Erickson Architects to conduct comprehensive master planning of Vetter Stone Amphitheater. The planning was focused on an initial phase of upgrades to Vetter Stone Amphitheater, including a permanent roof, permanent seating and additional storage. All the while ensuring these improvements were positioned well for amphitheater operational and amenity improvements in future phases. Thereafter, the City of Mankato sought $1.8 million in state funding over the course of the 2024 and 2025 bonding cycles. Despite support by our local legislators, no appropriation was made by the state. However, at this time, the Riverfront Park Capital fund does have cash and investments of $2,595,000. Staff recommend that these funds are sufficient to fund the initial recommended improvement in phase 1 to the Vetter Stone Amphitheater to include the permanent stage, permanent seating, and storage facility.
Council Discussion:
Staff will provide an overview of the recommended improvements, construction schedule and capital cash flow impacts to the Riverfront Capital Fund. Staff will look to the City Council to provide any comments and questions from the City Council on the proposed project.