When will he host his first concert?

The BJCC and Live Nation held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for what they’re now simply calling the Birmingham Amphitheater, which will host the kind of concerts Live Nation has produced for decades at Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Pelham.

It will take 12 months of construction for the 9,000-seat Birmingham Amphitheater to be ready to open for concerts in the summer of 2025, with the first concert possible as early as June 2025.

The Birmingham Amphitheater is now clear following grading and site preparation work which has been taking place since April.

The revolution took place at the corner of 15th Avenue North and 24th Street North. This will be the back of the stage for the amphitheater.

The stage and south end of the amphitheater will return to 15th Avenue North between 23rd Street North and 24th Street North.

It is adjacent to the former Carraway Methodist Medical Center, which is still undergoing demolition. The four former Carraway parking lots will remain and be renovated for use with the new amphitheater.

Jay Wilson, who oversees concerts for Live Nation in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, had the most in-depth remarks about the project from Live Nation, the national concert promoter.

He said Live Nation officials have envisioned the project for nearly a decade.

“Nine years ago, a few of us drove through this area, right around here, hoping that one day we could be here for an event like this, and here we are, nine years later,” Wilson said.

“Starting next year we will have many amazing nights enjoying live music under the stars in this beautiful new venue.”

On the two blocks from 15th to 17th Avenue North, spectators seated on the contoured hill will face south and have a view of the stage with the Birmingham skyline as a backdrop.

“Starting today, we’re building a world-class destination that will welcome some of the biggest artists on tour, while giving fans a memorable experience right here in Birmingham’s north side,” said Wilson.

“Bringing an amphitheater to life has long been a dream of our local team, which sits right there,” he said. “We’ve all been working on this for years. It is one that has been shared by many of you who are here today. I am amazed at how we worked together to make this a reality.”

While city and county officials worked together to provide public financing for the more than $50 million project, much of the vision came from Robert Simon, president and CEO of Corporate Realty, who took on the ambitious redevelopment of the long-dormant Carraway campus.

“We’re excited about it,” Simon said. “You’re going to see construction in the next 12 months, certainly in the next six.”

Already, the vision is taking shape, he said. “It looks a lot different now than it did last summer,” Simon said.

Wilson said the amphitheater will be a crucial part of Uptown’s future.

“In addition to great music, this venue will create an economic impact by creating 300 jobs and local commerce,” Wilson said. “Concert fans just don’t come to a concert; have dinner, have a drink, stay at a hotel, all contributing to Birmingham’s vibrant Uptown entertainment district and supporting local businesses.”

With state, county and city officials on site, it was an opportunity for many to see how far progress has come in demolishing the former Carraway Hospital to make way for the amphitheater and new housing developments.

A tall red brick building that was part of Carraway Hospital remains standing and has not yet been demolished.

“That building is the last building (to be demolished),” Simon said. “That building was the original bed tower for the hospital. It is a big building. We were hoping that we would be able to keep that. We like the eclectic aspect of being able to keep properties like this.”

But it was not viable to keep, he said.

“We’re going to tear it down,” Simon said. “We will build new housing.”

The other remaining building is the last operating medical building, which will be preserved and returned to its previous use, he said.

“That’s the Physicians Plaza building, doctor’s offices,” Simon said. “We would like to see a medical service on site.”

Wilson also announced that Live Nation will emphasize environmental responsibility as part of the new amphitheater.

“We are truly pleased and honored to play an important role in this community as a good neighbor and responsible steward of this beautiful site,” Wilson said.

“Thanks to our Live Nation Green Nation sustainability program, we’ll have a local zero-waste team working to reduce plastic waste and promote recycling, composting and food donations at every show,” he said. “From the artists on stage, to the hospitality experienced at the venue, we look forward to elevating this area for many years to come.”

The amphitheater will be owned by the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and managed by Live Nation, which currently operates the Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Pelham. Once the Birmingham amphitheater is built, Live Nation plans to close the Oak Mountain Amphitheater and book its regional concerts for the downtown Birmingham venue.