Amur Plaza officially opens to the public in downtown Grand Island
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - Even with inclement weather Friday, Grand Island city business and government officials cut the ribbon on the Amur Plaza in downtown.
It’s a project that took about a year, with the help of the Amur Equipment Finance company. During Friday’s ceremony, business leaders noted how this can help grow the Grand Island economy.
“Amur Plaza is the latest step in Grand Island’s efforts to make attracting and retaining a vibrant workforce to make Grand Island a better place to work and live,” said Will Armstrong, Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation Trustee.
City leaders also noted that the Amur Plaza adds to an already vibrant downtown.
“The Railside District in Grand Island really is a key destination in our town,” said Brad Mellema, Grand Island Tourism Bureau Executive Director. “What does that mean? It’s a place where, if a visitor comes here and they didn’t hit Railside, you’re missing one of the very best things that we have to offer. Yes, when the sun goes down and the lights come on, the atmosphere changes.”
The Amur Plaza is set to be the home of Hear Grand Island. Its director, Brent Lindner, said with all the additions, there is something special about downtown Grand Island.
“Experience is what it is, come down here for a meal or whatever, but you can literally come down here for all day or all night,” Lindner said. “Do the sculpture walk, go see a movie at the Grand, grab a drink here, food here and shop, so it’s been fantastic.”
City leaders see all the recent growth in Grand Island as a big step in the right direction.
“A redeveloping mall area and today Amur Plaza all of these represent the aquifer of progress that flows both underneath and through the place we call home,” Will Armstrong said.
Friday was supposed to be the first concert for Hear Grand Island in their new venue, but due to weather the bands were forced to move to the Glass Bar in Grand Island.
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