Developers for the Vesper Amphitheater have submitted a new application to Provo City, seeking the creation of a specialized Regional Entertainment Venue Zone for the site at the mouth of Provo Canyon. According to a November 11 report by Julie's Provo Notes, the move comes two months after the developers withdrew their initial application.
The new proposal introduces significant changes to the site's logistics and legal framework. While the original request sought to rezone the land to a general shopping center zone (SC3), the new application asks the City Council to establish a brand-new Regional Entertainment Venue Zone specifically for this location. Staff noted that this change ensures zoning terms remain with the land regardless of ownership. Physically, the plan now caps parking at 6,000 stalls, a reduction from the 8,000 spaces discussed in earlier drafts, and consolidates site access to a single entrance via a roundabout and a bridge.
Despite these logistical shifts, several core features of the project remain unchanged. According to staff updates reported by Julie's Provo Notes, the venue will still accommodate up to 20,000 open-air seats in the summer and 8,000 enclosed seats in the winter. The plan also maintains a hotel with up to 75 rooms, 40,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, and 110,000 square feet for maintenance and support buildings. The site covers approximately 95 acres, which includes roughly 66 acres of Provo City land.
The project has faced local scrutiny, including a formal resolution passed by the Orem City Council in September opposing the development. During a North District neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, most participants who spoke expressed opposition to building the amphitheater in Provo Canyon. While some community members expressed concerns regarding traffic and environmental impact, others, such as sound engineer Nickolas Thurber, noted the potential for the venue to bring touring acts to the area.
The review process begins with the Provo Planning Commission. The earliest possible date for a public hearing by the commission is Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026, at 6 p.m., though staff described this date as tentative. If the commission provides a recommendation, the Provo City Council will conduct work meetings and hold a final public hearing before making a decision.
