Amphitheater expected to spur more development in downtown Chambersburg

The effort to expand revitalization in downtown Chambersburg is set to take a step forward with the development of a 300-seat amphitheater overlooking the Concocheague Creek.

The Borough of Chambersburg was recently awarded an $879,865 grant from the state for the first phase of the project. The money will pass on to Downtown Chambersburg Inc., an affiliate of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, which will lead the project.

"Many community stakeholders, including the Borough of Chambersburg, have enabled Downtown Chambersburg Inc.'s Spring Street amphitheater grant request to become a reality. Providing a green space to gather and enjoy outdoor entertainment in our downtown not only creates a sense of community, it encourages people to further explore all our downtown has to offer," said Jenna Kaczmarek, board chair of DCI.

Business has been booming along North and South Main streets in recent years, with a number of new retailers and restaurants moving in and others moving to bigger spaces. The hope is that the amphitheater will be a catalyst for development and improvements in the first blocks of Lincoln Way West, according to DCI President Sam Thrush.

"There's pockets of downtown that still need some work done. And one of those pockets is Lincoln Way West," he said.

Where will the amphitheater be built?

The amphitheater will be built between Concocheague Creek and Spring Street, on the north side of Lincoln Way West. The address of the property is 59 Lincoln Way West.

What's the project timeline?

If all goes as planned, the amphitheater should be completed by late 2024, according to Thrush. But issues could arise that push it out into 2025.

Construction will probably take six to eight months, but it will be next year before that step begins. It will still be a few months before contracts are complete and pre-construction planning work can start.

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What will the amphitheater be used for?

There's no shortage of possibilities. The amphitheater could host festivals, concerts, theatrical performances and even private events.

“Maybe we can do a bluegrass festival there in the future. There’s a lot of different opportunities here," Thrush said.

DCI is looking at bringing on a local performing arts organization to host regular events at the amphitheater.

Eventually, DCI wants to add a 300-person pavilion to accompany the amphitheater, Thrush said.

Why an amphitheater?

The idea for an amphitheater in downtown Chambersburg was born out of a downtown development plan created in the early 1990s, according to Thrush. Town leaders were inspired by what Frederick, Md., was doing to develop the area along Carroll Creek, a waterway that runs through the city. An amphitheater there hosts events along the waterfront.

“That previous downtown plan led the way for Chambers Fort Park, cleaning that up and making it more park-like,” Thrush said.

A 2015 downtown development plan for Chambersburg included the amphitheater, and now eight years later the money to build it has come to fruition.

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.