The Shelby Township Board of Trustees approved construction of the new Shelby Township Amphitheater and Community Relations Building at its June 9 meeting, advancing a major component of the township's long-term Civic Center Campus vision.

Designed by Auger Klein Aller Architects, the new facility will be constructed by Frank Rewold and Sons, Inc. Construction is scheduled to begin in early July following the 2026 Shelby Township Summer Fest, which takes place June 26-27 at the Civic Center Campus, 52700 Van Dyke Ave. The project is expected to be completed in time to host Shelby Township's Bicentennial Summer Fest on June 25-26, 2027.

“Over several years, a dedicated team worked through countless meetings, reviews, and evaluations to ensure this project truly reflects the needs of our residents and staff,” said Trustee Lisa Casali, who oversaw the team that helped design the facility. “Throughout that process, equal attention was given to protecting the Township’s strong financial standing. This project is budgeted to be fully paid in cash, with no debt, no bonding, and no increase in taxes.”

The amphitheater directly addresses one of the community's most frequently requested priorities: replacing the township bandshell that was removed in 2019 to make way for construction of the Shelby Township Library. Since its removal, residents have consistently ranked a bandshell replacement among the township's top annual priorities.

In addition to restoring a dedicated outdoor performance venue, the combined Amphitheater and Community Relations Building fulfills a key recommendation of the Civic Center Development Master Plan and strengthens the Civic Center Campus as a destination for community events, entertainment and public engagement.

“Even before the old band shell was fully demolished, my office received calls asking how it was going to be replaced,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “I want to thank Trustee Lisa Casali and her team that did better than replacing the old band shell. They designed a facility that sets the standard for community spaces in metro Detroit.”

The project also marks the final step in a years-long effort to relocate all remaining township operations from the former Shelby Township Community Center on Van Dyke Avenue, the site of the former Disco Elementary School. Once Community Relations staff relocate to the new building, the township will have successfully vacated the aging facility, allowing officials to move forward with plans for redevelopment of the property and revitalization of the surrounding corridor.

Since 2019, Shelby Township has completed a series of major civic facility projects, all funded without issuing bonds, raising taxes or incurring debt. The new Amphitheater and Community Relations Building, a 20,000-square-foot facility with an estimated project cost of $11.2 million, will complete the relocation of all township operations from the former Community Center property.

Those investments include:

• The Shelby Township 41-A District Court in 2019, a 20,000-square-foot facility constructed on the Civic Center Campus at a cost of $5.2 million.
• The Shelby Township Activities Center in 2019, a 25,000-square-foot facility that serves as the home of the Senior Center, Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Department offices, and a community activities center. The township invested $3.75 million to purchase and renovate the former Boys & Girls Club at 14975 Van Dyke Ave. and expanded the property with the purchase of 1.7 acres in 2022. Future plans include a second gymnasium supported by a $1.5 million federal grant.
• The Shelby Township Library in 2022, a 26,400-square-foot facility that more than doubled the size of the township's previous library and became its first standalone library building. The project represented a $11.7 million investment.

Collectively, these projects represent more than 91,000 square feet of new facilities and a total investment of $31.85 million, paid in cash, without bonding, debt or tax increases.