Bring on the Music

Crews Work to Beat the Clock before Concert Season Starts at New Clark County Amphitheater

By Melody Finnemore

It's almost possible to hear the clock ticking as the Clark County Amphitheater takes shape along Interstate 5 near Vancouver, Wash.

Crews are working around the clock to ensure the completion of the Clark County Amphitheater before its scheduled opening Memorial Day weekend. Rendering courtesy of Sustaita Architects

About 100 people are working to meet the May 23 deadline and ensure the amphitheater is open for a summer concert schedule beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Vancouver's Olson Engineering took care of the sitework planning on the $30 million project so the general contractor, Hoffman Construction Co. of Portland, Ore., could start building as soon as the 2002 Clark County Fair ended in August.

"We basically missed most of the summer," said Dave Garske, Hoffman's project manager, who also is managing the Oregon Convention Center expansion. "We moved about 400,000 yds. of dirt and developed 60 acres of the site within the first three months, and we're working basically 24 hours a day to get this done on time."

Wetlands at the southwest corner of the 135-acre site required that silt fencing and erosion control measures - including $30,000 worth of hay - be put in place during construction. Seven detention ponds around the area will capture runoff from the parking lot and protect the wetlands during the amphitheater's operations.

"We were nervous about exposing 135 acres while we were installing the permanent system, but Clark County has a really strong erosion control program and our staff and subs have been trained in those programs," Garske said.

"It's an interesting site. We've got a major natural gas line running down the middle of it. We're surrounded by wetlands and we've got an eagle habitat on it. So, along with all of the traditional project challenges we've got some additional issues."

In addition to a tight timeline and environmental precautions, there are noise issues. A group of nearby residents contested the amphitheater's construction because of noise concerns, delaying the project for more than three years. A resolution crafted in court includes stringent acoustical requirements to restrict the noise level to less than 59 decibels at the property line.

Abram Sustaita, president of Sustaita Architects of Houston, Texas, which designed the amphitheater, said the noise issue created some unique considerations.

"The biggest challenge for us involved the requirements set forth by the conditional-use permit, and rightfully so because of the residents nearby," he said. "We certainly want to be a good neighbor. We've been working in conjunction with the acoustical engineer and implementing performance criteria to ensure we meet those noise requirements."

Exit doors will be acoustically sealed, the stage sits several feet below grade and 100,000 sq. ft. of concrete acoustic panels will be installed. A 30-ft.-high berm designed to serve as "lawn seating" will help reduce noise. In addition, a 60-ft.-high sound wall is designed to prevent crowds from disturbing nearby residents.

"The crowd noise was almost as much of an issue as the music noise," Garske said, noting cheering and other sound from people sitting on the berm could potentially rise above the amphitheater's roof without a sound wall to block it.

Winter weather also tested construction crews. A wet December slowed plans to pour the 65-ft.-high concrete acoustic panels. Despite 10 in. of rain that month, however, the 15-ft.-wide panels have been completed and the project remains on schedule.

Hoffman now is constructing buildings that will surround the amphitheater, including house concessions; merchandise and beer kiosks; restrooms; a box office; administrative offices; emergency public services and hospitality accommodations.

Also underway is the structural steel shell of the amphitheater. Major trusses spanning about 220 ft. in length were erected in mid-January, and plans called for structural steel, decking and acoustical panel work to continue throughout February.

Hoffman expects to complete its task of installing 80,000 sq. ft. of concrete this month.

"That involves retaining walls, stairs and cross aisles, so it's all cut up and it will take nearly two months to get that all in place," Garske said.

It will take approximately eight weeks to install seats in a covered "seating pavilion" in front of the stage.

By the time the project is completed, the amphitheater will accommodate 18,000 concert-goers - 8,000 in the covered seating close to the stage and another 10,000 in lawn seating. There will be parking for 7,700 vehicles.

Included in the project cost is $5 million for widening entrance and exit ramps at 179th Avenue to improve access to and from I-5.

"I think a lot of people have been surprised by how complex a project this really is," Garske said. "It's been a great learning experience because there have been a lot of intricacies associated with it."

As part of their research, Garske and about a dozen project team members accompanied representatives from owner Quincunx LLC to a Paul McCartney concert to see firsthand how certain elements are essential to an amphitheater's success, such as efficient unloading and reloading of performers' equipment. Other considerations include structural support for rigging, wiring for spotlights and dressing rooms that accommodate performers' needs.

"We went to six or seven different amphitheaters, like the Starplex in Dallas, to talk to facility managers and find out what they like and don't like," Garske said. "A lot of times artists decide what venues to play because of the accommodations and because it's easy to get equipment in and out, so we want to make sure we include those items that will help Quincunx market this amphitheater."

Quincunx is a subsidiary of Q-Prime Management of New York City, which manages rock bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica. Q-Prime created Quincunx to expand its presence into amphitheater management and plans to build venues in Minneapolis and New York City.

The Clark County Amphitheater will be the first such venue completed as part of Q-Prime's expansion strategy.

Doug Johnston, Clark County's director of general services, said the amphitheater will be open for music concerts and children's programs from mid-May to mid-October. It is not yet known what concert will kick off the venue's grand opening in May.

"This new amphitheater will bring so many benefits to the fairgrounds and the Clark County Fair because the acoustics and staging will be so much better," Johnston added. "It also will provide a bigger lot for more parking, better signage and lighting, and improved access from I-5."