Amphitheatre in Alpharetta opens May 10

After spending years working on community support and searching for an operator to build an amphitheater in North Fulton, Mike Nixon can't wait for the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park to open.

Nixon, who headed the committee tasked with realizing the dream of the late Bob Fulton, former Fulton County Commissioner, and others, said there will be nothing like it in all of North Metro Atlanta.

"It's pretty great, a phenomenal thing for the North Fulton area," he said. "It exceeded our hopes and expectations."

Nixon said the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Woodruff Arts Foundation and its contractors have done a great job on the amphitheater.

"People should be real proud of their first real significant arts venue," he said.

Brandon Beach, president of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and a fellow member of that committee, said the amphitheatre is going to bring the community together.

"First off, it's an amenity that is just great for the citizens of North Fulton. From the business standpoint, it's a great economic development tool," he said.

The view from the ASO's side is just as bright.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park began as a dream by the community and for the community, something that Don Fox, chief financial officer for the ASO, said remains part of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's goals.

He said a relationship exists between the community and the amphitheater, and the community and the ASO.

When the late Commissioner Bob Fulton and others embarked down this path, imagining a performing arts facility, it was with the community in mind, he said.

The North Fulton resident said an unbelievable amount of hard work took place over the past 18 months to get the venue ready for performances, with dedication shown by workers ranging from architects to project managers.

The caliber of acts booked at the amphitheater shows a tremendous amount of excitement in the artists' community for the venue, Fox said.

"In fact, the Eagles opening their world tour here, certainly makes a statement about the kind of building we have created," Fox said.

At concert time, the work continues by the community, he said. Alpharetta, the Ga. Department of Transportation and ASO staff have been proactive in developing a comprehensive traffic management plan. He singled out Alpharetta Master Police Officer Rob Wessell, who is in charge of arranging police coverage and traffic routing.
- www.NorthFulton.com

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