Halfway There: Beam Raising Marks a Major Milestone at Acrisure Amphitheater
The Acrisure Amphitheater has reached a major construction milestone with the completion of its massive steel canopy.
Acrisure Amphitheater, a signature piece of the Grand Riverfront’s transformation, recently celebrated a major construction milestone: the completion of its massive steel canopy.
More than just a feat of engineering, this moment signals a turning point for the project and a step closer to bringing a world-class entertainment and community venue to life.
“This is one of those big moments,” said Tim Schowalter, President and CEO of Pioneer Construction. “Getting the canopy structure in place gives us a clear line of sight to the finish. We’re still in the thick of it, but this milestone opens up the rest of the site and allows us to maintain our pace.”
More Than 3 Millions Pounds in the Air
At the center of the progress is an architectural marvel: 1,600 tons, or 3.3 million pounds, of steel now lifted into place, including the dramatic overhead canopy that spans the stage and seating area. The steel structure has dominated the site for months, requiring a fleet of cranes, trucks, and shoring towers to carefully execute the lift.
Beneath it all lies a hidden network of structural piers, drilled deep into bedrock to support the entire system. Atop those piers sit two massive cast steel “nodes,” forming the backbone of the amphitheater’s design. These uniquely engineered pieces of the structure had to be custom-made in Brazil, flown to the U.S. on a cargo plane, and transported by truck to Grand Rapids.
“You can’t fabricate something like this in a conventional way,” Schowalter explained. “It had to be cast, X-rayed, scanned, and built to exacting standards. It’s part art, part engineering, and one of the most unique structural assemblies you’ll find anywhere in the country right now.”
“You can’t fabricate something like this in a conventional way. It had to be cast, X-rayed, scanned, and built to exacting standards. It’s part art, part engineering, and one of the most unique structural assemblies you’ll find anywhere in the country right now.”
Aerial view of current Acrisure Amphitheater site.
The Site as a Learning LabCivil Engineers Association
Over the past several months, the project has served as a live classroom for future leaders in construction, engineering, and design. Organizations like Grand Rapids Community College, Ferris State University, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, West Michigan Construction Institute, AIA West Michigan, and the Civil Engineers Association have all toured the site, shadowed tradespeople, and learned firsthand what it takes to build a complex public venue from the ground up.
“It’s been incredible to share this experience with the next generation,” Schowalter said. “There’s no substitute for walking a site like this and seeing how everything comes together. We’re proud to help grow the workforce of tomorrow while building something transformative today.”
What’s Next: A Vision Coming Together
With the canopy in place, crews will now turn their focus to the building’s eastern structure along Market Avenue, enclosing it to allow interior construction to begin. These spaces will house ticketing, concessions, restrooms, and other visitor amenities.
Work will also continue in the bowl and lawn seating area, laying the groundwork for both fixed seats and a grassy hillside that needs time to establish before the first performance.
Looking just ahead, construction of a new parking ramp on the amphitheater’s south side is scheduled to begin this spring, following the recent beam lifting and now allowing for crews to maximize space and site logistics.
A Community Dream Nears Reality
As the GR& Riverfront vision continues to take shape, from green spaces to cultural destinations, Acrisure Amphitheater stands as a key anchor in a growing ecosystem of connectivity and community life.
“This project only came to life because people stuck with it,” Schowalter reflected. “From Grand Action 2.0 to the City of Grand Rapids to Acrisure stepping up as lead sponsor, it took vision, partnership, and persistence. We’ve come a long way, and now we’re in a position to finish strong.”
Whether it’s concerts, festivals, or other events, the amphitheater is designed to be more than a venue: it’s a gathering place. This is a space to celebrate as a community and another symbol of the power of public-private partnerships.
Stay tuned to GR& Riverfront for more progress updates on Acrisure Amphitheater and everything else happening along the Grand River.
“This project only came to life because people stuck with it. From Grand Action 2.0 to the City of Grand Rapids to Acrisure stepping up as lead sponsor, it took vision, partnership, and persistence. We’ve come a long way, and now we’re in a position to finish strong.”
Acrisure Amphitheater rendering.
