Shuttered Mesker Shed’s Fate

The Evansville, Ind., City Council is looking into options for the city’s aging, 8,500-capacity Mesker Amphitheatre, shuttered in September.

City officials are reviewing a consultants’ report that says attracting national-level shows to the venue, built in 1951, would require a serious renovation process, according to the Courier-Press.

The report suggests the work can be done in two phases. The first phase would include installing seats removed from the now-defunct Roberts Stadium, bringing the stage up to code, building a canopy, upgrading existing restrooms, adding a loading dock, and upgrading other buildings with restrooms and concession space.

Estimated cost for the renovations is $9.7 million to $15.7 million.

The second phase would include adding suites and rear restroom and catering facilities at an estimated cost of $6.2 million to $11.8 million, the paper said.

SMG managed the shed until its contract was terminated by the city’s parks board as of Oct. 7, according to the City Country Observer.