Update on amphitheater renovation presented to aldermen
Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite Tuesday told aldermen that renovations to the BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove should be completed by the end of the year and with landscaping, should be ready for the return of concerts to the entertainment facility in April.
Musselwhite said he had toured the progress of the renovation work in the past week and said it is impressive.
“You need to walk to the top of the bowl and look down and see how incredible it is,” Musselwhite said. “It will be a super facility. They’ve done a great job with it.”
The nearly $9.9 million project increases the seating capacity to about 9,800 and has added many more amenities to make it more attractive to concertgoers and entertainers alike.
“We tripled the number of bathrooms and concessions,” Musselwhite said. “We’ve added a new gate on the west end at the back of the facility and the south end near the Snowden House. There’s a brand new commissary where the food and beverage will come in and we have a new place for souvenirs and such.”
A more private and secure area for entertainers and a VIP lounge is also included.
“It’s going to be different than it’s ever been before and be super special,” Musselwhite said.
Board action Tuesday night also approved a professional services agreement with Chandler’s Lawn Service for landscaping, and approved a bid award for a video board at the amphitheater.
The mayor also provided an update on the Pepper Chase Road extension under construction south of the Landers Center, a project funded through Mississippi Development Authority funds with the construction of the Medline facility.
“We’ve had a long-term goal of getting some relief from Landers Center traffic,” Musselwhite told aldermen. “This was a dual-benefit project to get a secondary access to Medline and also to give us some relief and dilute the traffic from the Landers Center.”
The road parallel to I-55 on the west side of the interstate will connect with Research Drive north of Medline and Research Drive will then provide access to Highway 51.
Musselwhite said it is projected to be finished and ready at least by January.
Two new quick-serve restaurants and a new hotel near the Snowden Grove Soccer Complex were given the green light to go ahead after action from the Board of Aldermen Tuesday evening.
Design review applications were approved for the two restaurants, both Cook Out restaurants, planned to be built in Southaven. One is to be located at 1175 Main Street near Highway 51, and the other is set for 3212 Goodman Road East, on the north side of the road near DeSoto Athletic Club.
They are part of a franchise from Thomasville, North Carolina have seven Mid-South locations already, including one of Hacks Cross Road in Olive Branch. The two Cook Outs will be the franchise’s first entry into Southaven.
Aldermen also approved the Planning Commission’s recommendations for a new five-story Hampton Inn and Suites, to be built on the east side of Snowden Lane at the north side of Pine Tar Alley.
