The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex board today approved an operating agreement with Live Nation to manage a 9,380-seat, $50 million amphitheater downtown.

Under the agreement, Live Nation will manage the facility for the BJCC that will be built just north of Protective Stadium. Live Nation will also contribute toward the construction costs of the amphitheater. The facility will be owned by the BJCC.

The agreement with Live Nation was the last of the major agreements required for the BJCC to move forward with the project.

Site work is expected to begin by the end of this year, and the amphitheater is scheduled to open in spring 2025.

“This is the culmination of a yearlong effort to bring together the partners and the necessary resources to make this project a reality,” Tad Snider, the CEO of the BJCC said this afternoon. “It shows yet again that our community can accomplish great things when we work together.”

The amphitheater will be located in the Druid Hills neighborhood on part of the former site of Carraway hospital. The venue will be part of the Star Uptown redevelopment of the Carraway site, which has sat vacant and crumbling for 15 years.

In addition to approving the Live Nation agreement, the BJCC board today voted to authorize a $30 million financing that will go toward the construction cost of the amphitheater. The bond transaction will close later this month.

“This venue will be a great community asset for Birmingham,” Jordan Zachary, Co-President of U.S. Concerts for Live Nation said in a statement. “We are excited to partner with the BJCC to bring best-in-class entertainment and an amazing hospitality experience to both residents and visitors.”

The BJCC, City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, and Live Nation will each contribute $5 million upfront for the amphitheater’s construction.

The BJCC will repay the $30-million debt over 30 years, using proceeds from the amphitheater’s operation as well as a portion of lodging taxes generated by the BJCC’s hotels. The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, which had previously received those lodging taxes, agreed last year to allow the BJCC to retain those funds to support the amphitheater project.

In addition to its upfront contribution to the project, the BJCC has committed to cover any construction cost overruns and participate in rehabilitating parking decks on the Carraway property.

Snider said the amphitheater will benefit Birmingham and Jefferson County, and will complement previous investments nearby such as the stadium, arena and City Walk.

“The amphitheater will provide new entertainment options for our residents and bring in more visitors to support our local economy,” Snider said. “We are thrilled to move into the next phase of this project.”