Good news for visitors to Huntsville’s Orion Amphitheater: More parking on the way

Huntsville concertgoers have reason to celebrate as plans for a major parking expansion at the Orion Amphitheater shift into high gear. The Huntsville Planning Commission recently gave the green light for a new four-story parking deck, a significant step toward improving the venue's accessibility.

Boosting Capacity at the Orion

The upcoming 85,000-square-foot facility is set to be constructed within MidCity, located south of Sanderson Street and east of Research Park Boulevard. Designed to accommodate 924 vehicles, the deck will also feature 30 dedicated bike rack locations for cyclists heading to shows.

According to Chapman Sisson architects, safety and transparency are at the forefront of the design. The structure will incorporate three stairwells and three elevators, all featuring glass backs to ensure high visibility for concert attendees arriving after dark. Additionally, the deck will be pre-wired for electric vehicle charging stations, and Bostick Landscape Architects has been tapped to ensure the facility is visually integrated with its surroundings through extensive landscaping.

This development is a key part of the broader strategy to boost parking capacity for the venue. Currently, the Orion utilizes about 770 on-site spaces along with various satellite and ancillary lots throughout MidCity. Officials are aiming to hit a total of 3,400 spaces to ensure they can handle even the most high-demand events.

Campus and Community Growth

Beyond the Orion project, the Planning Commission also approved the transformation of Building 300 on the Drake State Community College campus. Located north of McDonnell Avenue and west of Meridian Street, the 6,500-square-foot facility, built in the 1960s, is shifting from its current role as storage space to a vibrant new event center. Plans from Nola VanPeursem architects include a 1,600-square-foot addition and a fresh, classical front facade.

Residential development is also keeping pace with city growth. The Commission granted final approval for new lots across two major subdivisions:

• Mooresville Station: The first phase south of Bibb Garrett Road and west of Mooresville Road will feature 92 lots. Additionally, the commission approved a 308-lot relayout for the project's second phase.
• Retreat at Goose Creek: Located east of Old Highway 431 and south of Berkley Road, this development secured approval for 63 lots in its fifth phase.

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