Sunset Amphitheater receives preliminary approval for new home in Yukon

A year after being struck down in Oklahoma City, the Sunset Amphitheater could have a new home in Yukon.

On Tuesday, the project received preliminary approval from the Yukon City Council, giving it a second chance after its initial rejection.

"We have land out on Frisco Road that is underdeveloped. We are just trying to get business out there and so we thought, this is a wonderful opportunity for our community," said Yukon City Councilmember Shelli Selby.

The Yukon City Council explained that the live music venue would bring jobs to the community and boost local sales tax.

"We're hoping it brings people to our town that are going to shop and eat, but it will also create jobs to have people that are out there working," Selby continued.

 People living across the street from where the venue would be built expressed concern about the noise and traffic.

“I don't like it — not if it's going to be a lot of music [at] all hours of the night,” said neighbor Tommy Arthurs. Arthurs moved to the area in 2021.

A few houses down, resident Eric Nichols shared concerns of his own.

“Terrible idea. Sounds like it's going to be noise. We have an 8-year-old daughter and I don't want to be kept up late. I don’t want her to be kept up late because of noise," said Nichols.

The Yukon City Council confirmed that there are residents in the area it is hoping to build.

"What was explained to us is the way the sound will go, that it's not going to affect our residents. Also, because we're right there by the Interstate, they have — where they don't build unless they can get the entire venue exited in 40 minutes," said Selby.

Residents remained unconvinced. 

“I know how audio works. You're still going to have some sound, even if they direct it in a different direction. It's a terrible idea this close to the neighborhood," Nichols stated.

Amphitheater proposal faced past opposition in OKC

The 12,000-seat Sunset Amphitheater was first proposed in 2023 as part of the Mustang Creek Crossing development. The original site was near Interstate 40 and the Kilpatrick Turnpike in Oklahoma City.

Many residents in the area opposed the venue, saying it was too close to residential neighborhoods and would disrupt their daily lives.

The Oklahoma City Council rejected the proposal in 2024 with a 7-2 vote.

RELATED: 

1. Group Protests Sunset Amphitheatre In SW OKC
2. City Council Rejects Sunset Amphitheatre In SW OKC, Vote Fails 7-2

New location in Yukon

If approved, the amphitheater would be built near the Frisco Road and Interstate 40 interchange in Yukon.

The timeline of development on the new venue remains unclear.

The City of Yukon said it would first send a letter of intent to Oklahoma City, then eventually get the land assessed for what it would need.

The city council added that it could be three years before the first concert.