Gadsden Receives Tourism Grant for Amphitheater Expansion
GADSDEN, Ala. – The Mort Glosser Amphitheater in Gadsden is set to receive a major upgrade, thanks to a $125,000 grant from the Alabama Tourism Department.
The funding will go toward the addition of approximately 200 new seats at the historic venue, increasing total capacity to around 1,600. The project will also introduce assigned seating, a move expected to improve the ticketing process and overall experience for visitors.
“Gadsden has something most cities don’t — a music venue on the river,” said Mayor Craig Ford. “As we continue working to develop our riverfront and enhance quality of life, The Amp remains a key asset. I’m grateful to Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell for supporting our efforts to restore and improve this historic site.”
Built in the 1930s as part of the Works Progress Administration, the amphitheater has long served as a venue for concerts, festivals, and community events.
John Moore, the city’s Director of Economic Development, said the improvements are part of a larger strategy to attract bigger acts and more events to Gadsden.
“The Amp is more than a nickname — it stands for ‘Always Music Playing,’ and we’ve worked hard to bring in more shows,” Moore said. “This grant helps us make the venue more comfortable for guests and more appealing to event organizers.”
From the City of Gadsden:
Gadsden’s historic Mort Glosser Amphitheater is getting an upgrade thanks to a $125,000 grant announced by the Alabama Tourism Department.
The funding will add approximately 200 new seats to the amphitheater. “Gadsden has something most cities don’t have: a music venue on the river,” said Mayor Craig Ford. “As we work to develop our riverfront area with activities to improve the quality of life, The Amp is a major asset. “I want to thank Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama Tourism Department Director Lee Sentell for helping us continue our work to restore and upgrade this historic building,” Ford added. The amphitheater was built in the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project, and it is regularly in use for concerts, community events and other performances. The additional seating will increase the capacity of the venue to approximately 1,600, and with the addition of assigned seating, it will also streamline the process for ticket sales. “The Amp is more than just a nickname — it stands for Always Music Playing, and we’ve put a lot of effort into getting more performances and bigger acts on stage. This is another great step in that direction,” said John Moore, Director of Economic Development. “It’ll make for a more comfortable experience when people visit Gadsden, and it will also help make The Amp more attractive to event organizers.”
