Waite Park to Hire Firm for Amphitheater Project Design

WAITE PARK -- The vision for the proposed Waite Park amphitheater project continues to move forward.

During tonight's (Monday) city council meeting, the council approved hiring Oertel Architects of St. Paul to develop a concept plan for the project.

President Jeff Oertel submitted a proposal to the council to help determine several aspects of the project, including seating capacity, admissions, public access, restrooms, vending and other utilities.

The concept plan would also include the hiring of Schuler Shook as a consulting firm on the project, based on their experience designing many outdoor theaters, including an amphitheater next to Target Field.

The overall process will include reviewing the site, talk with city officials on the layout designs, prepare a basic program and come up with a master plan for council review.

Cost for the concept plan is estimated around $16,500, with a maximum not-to-exceed fee of $22,000.

Earlier this month Waite Park officials held an all day work session with Wendy Riggs, vice president of Walton Arts Center, to help with the planning process for the amphitheater.

The proposed amphitheater site will oversee a piece of quarry land along 17^th Avenue and Parkway Drive.