Do City Council Candidates Stand With Red Hat Amp?

We asked all sitting members of Raleigh City Council—and other candidates vying for a seat—whether they stand with the expansion of Red Hat Amp.

With the vote deciding Red Hat Amphitheater’s fate in less than a month, we tapped Raleigh City Council candidates—plus the sitting Council members who are all up for reelection—on whether they think the venue should remain Downtown or be moved elsewhere (for example, Dix Park). 

Although only the current council members will have any say in the vote, other candidates’ take on the amphitheater’s location can give insight on their knowledge of Raleigh and priorities within the city. And, ICYMI, Red Hat Amp cannot be left where it is—it must be either moved one block and expanded or demolished for good. 

Mayoral Candidates

Janet Cowell
Red Hat [Amp] should stay Downtown. It helps make Downtown a regional destination for arts and culture and supports local businesses at a time when they urgently need it. In exchange for the negative externalities of closing a street, we should preserve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular throughways while mitigating the impact of street closure on Heritage Park and insulating residents from service loading docks.

Paul Fitts 
Leave it where it is.

Eugene Myrick  
I am not in favor of moving Red Hat Amphitheater to Dix Park. While the amphitheater is a beloved venue, relocating it would have significant and far-reaching consequences that outweigh the potential benefits. Moving the amphitheater would negatively impact local businesses that have long benefited from its Downtown location. The foot traffic and economic activity generated by events at Red Hat Amphitheater support our small businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy. Disrupting this ecosystem could lead to closures and lost livelihoods for many who rely on this steady stream of patrons.

Terrance Ruth
The location of Red Hat Amphitheater should be determined by what best serves the community’s needs and enhances the cultural vibrancy of Raleigh. Keeping it Downtown supports local businesses and maintains the city’s cultural hub. However, moving it to Dix Park could offer unique opportunities, but the fragile nature of our Downtown requires the city’s full attention. I would advocate for extensive community input before making a decision.

James Shaughnessy IV
I am in favor of keeping Red Hat Amphitheater Downtown. It’s become a cultural staple in the area and plays a vital role in supporting local businesses by driving foot traffic and generating economic activity. Its presence Downtown is beneficial both for the economy and the cultural vibrancy of the city.

At-large Candidates

James Bledsoe
No. Red Hat [Amp] needs to stay where it is. Moving a large property like that to expand a Convention Center that isn’t full when events are held is just asking to hurt Downtown. Many businesses rely on foot traffic from the events. Moving Red Hat [Amp] during an already financially stressed Downtown Raleigh is just going to break a lot of businesses’ backs.

Joshua Bradley 
I am of the opinion that it can stay where it is. The Convention Center does not need to expand. The planned move would close South Street and negatively impact Heritage Park, which is one of the few public housing complexes in the City.

Stormie Forte (I)
Yes, I am in favor of the Red Hat Amphitheater expansion, while understanding the concerns regarding a closure of a small portion of [South Street]. Within the budget allocated for the project, the current plan is the only option available to keep the amphitheater Downtown. The City of Raleigh staff are working with the NC Department of Transportation to create a solution that will allow continued connectivity to the Downtown area from South Street. I have had the opportunity to speak with many owners of local small businesses regarding the negative economic impact of losing the amphitheater Downtown. I want to support initiatives that will help these establishments not only survive, but thrive. Red Hat Amphitheater has over 50 shows scheduled this season and eight weeks for the ice rink. Many Raleigh residents and guests from out of town enjoy coming Downtown for these events, and contribute significantly to the viability of surrounding businesses. It is important for the owners and their employees that these opportunities continue to create foot traffic in these spaces. 

Jonathan Melton (I)
Yes, and I want the city to work with NCDOT on reestablishing some connection for the portion of South Street that is closed, and to add bicycle and pedestrian improvements too. This project can be a win-win for all interested stakeholders.  

Reeves Peeler 
I want to see the amphitheater stay Downtown.

Robert Steele 
I am in favor of the Red Hat Amphitheater staying Downtown.

District A Candidates

Mary Black (I)
Neutral. I think the role of councilors is to weigh the multiple factors within in any case. I’m eager to hear from the city about the multiple factors that are at play with regard to impact to traffic, Heritage Park redevelopment and businesses. 

Whitney Hill 
I am in favor of seeing Red Hat [Amp] staying where it is and keeping Dawson Street a straight shot through Downtown. No one has shown me the cost profit analysis of doubling the size of the Civic Center. If they have [it], I would love to see it. To me, this is the real issue. Are the citizens at large really benefiting from the Civic Center Expansion?

Mitchell Silver
I am in favor of keeping Red Hat Amphitheater Downtown and would encourage City Council to explore and make public all available options, including those that keep South Street open. 

District B Candidates

Jennifer McCollum
Yes, I am in favor of Red Hat Amphitheater staying Downtown.

Megan Patton (I)
With roughly a month until the vote regarding the street closure, I am still in the information-gathering phase. This decision impacts several constituencies in a variety of ways. From Heritage Park to Downtown businesses, from Boylan Heights to the larger Raleigh community, I’m committed to hearing all the voices. No decision that the Council faces is ever as simple as it seems. I’m working hard to make sure we get as many wins for as many stakeholders as possible.

District C Candidates

Corey Branch (I)
I’m in favor of keeping Red Hat Amphitheater Downtown. 

DaQuanta Copeland
Yes, I support the Red Hat Amphitheater staying Downtown. 

Tomara DeCosta
It should remain Downtown, as local businesses depend on the foot traffic it generates. 

Daniel Grant-King
No response as of press time. 

Jared Ollison 
If Red Hat is to be expanded, I think it would be a good idea to consider moving it to Dix Park. 

Tolulope Omokaiye
I am in favor of the Red Hat Amphitheater remaining Downtown. 

Portia Rochelle
In favor of [Red Hat Amp] staying Downtown

District D Candidates

Jane Harrison (I)
I’m committed to Red Hat Amphitheater remaining Downtown and anticipate it to be moved one block south to make room for the Convention Center expansion. It has significant economic spillover impacts on local businesses like Berkeley Cafe, Videri Chocolate Factory, and Neptunes, just to name a few. It’s a beloved community asset—essential for vibrancy and safety Downtown.

Residents and business owners also have legitimate concerns about the loss of vehicular access on South Street. Unfortunately, closing the street is a prerequisite to expansion of the Convention Center and the Red Hat [Amp] relocation. I’ve spent a great deal of time with city staff and impacted neighbors to examine the plans and identify opportunities to mitigate potential negative impacts. City staff is working with the NC Department of Transportation to develop a new route which would connect just south of South Street heading west to east. The City is also conducting a traffic-impact analysis to evaluate impacts. An additional community engagement opportunity will be held prior to any City Council decision.

District E Candidates

John Cerqueira
Red Hat should absolutely stay Downtown at a scale that continues attracting the types of shows we have been fortunate to host in the past. I do look forward to the potential of a music venue at Dix Park at what is planned to be a scale closer to what we have at the NC Museum of Art. 

Christina Jones (I)
No response as of press time.