Roughly a week before the sold-out opening concert at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, the venue’s staff, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and city officials invited representatives from local media outlets to preview the facility.

During the event Thursday morning, they addressed the issues involved with operating a venue with a capacity of 7,470 people – from traffic and parking logistics to serving food and drinks during events.

The amphitheater staff could include as many as 350 people for concerts and other events, most of whom will be local hires, said amphitheater director Wendy Riggs, who provided an overview of the venue’s operations.

Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation director Tera Tubbs addressed the issue of parking, presenting maps that display a variety of parking options, along with approximate walking times for each area.

Events will be treated in a manner similar to game days, with segments of both Jack Warner Parkway and Greensboro Avenue closed to traffic, Riggs said.

The joint event-planning efforts of city and amphitheater staff will be put to the test Friday, April 1, for the Avett Brothers/Band of Horses concert.