Sanford staff seeks approval to buy amphitheater structure; design to address floodplain, security and modular expansion

Parks and design staff briefed the commission on a procurement to buy a Polygon amphitheater structure and the platform that will hold it. Staff said the commission’s action would approve purchase of the certified structure; general contracting work for the platform and supporting wall would be bid separately.

Staff explained several design constraints: the structure will be elevated (about 4 feet), there will be a retaining wall behind the stage area, and the grade must be raised within limits to avoid requiring handrails (platform drop to grade must not exceed 18 inches without a handrail). Floodplain compensation for raising the stage will be handled through mitigation work in the nearby Lake Corolla project, staff said. The platform footprint discussed was roughly 30 by 40 feet with the platform length near 40 feet.

The procurement includes features to protect a proposed video wall from theft, vandalism and hurricanes; options under consideration include roll‑down shutters that would limit screen movement during closure. Staff also described a modular design that would allow future expansion by adding wing elements to the trapezoid frame.

Commissioners asked about wall height, views, and whether the proposed structure blocks sight lines; staff said the team will present designs to the design team in the coming week and expected to reach about 60% design with civil plans soon. No final procurement vote was taken at the work session; staff said the amphitheater procurement item is on the commission’s action agenda and that purchase of the Polygon structure would be limited to authorized rep services and certified installers.

The discussion also noted vandalism protection and options to balance protection with screen functionality.