So far, it seems to be a pretty well-kept secret. But a new outdoor concert venue is coming to Harmar.

The Mountain View Amphitheater is at 10 Rich Hill Road, off Route 910. It’s up the hill from the Harmarville business district and not far from Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 48 (Allegheny Valley).

It is a flat, grassy area that can accommodate anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people, most of whom can watch live performances from their own lawn chairs. Seats also will be provided in an area close to the stage.

Several Rich Hill Road residents who spoke with the Tribune-Review last week said they were unaware of the new venue.

“We don’t need it here,” said Ron Polcsak, 65, who lives in the nearby Indiana Township section of the road. “This is a semi-rural area, and it should stay that way. These roads can only handle so much traffic.”

Scott Moline, 54, of Indiana Township agreed with Polcsak.

“I’m not real crazy about having extra traffic,” he said. “Some parts of the road are not that good. I’m OK with the music, but I don’t like the idea of having all those extra people coming in.”

Noise also could be a problem, with the stage speakers facing toward the nearby Pitt Ohio trucking corporate office.

However, John McMillen, 82, of Indiana Township said he likes the idea of a music venue coming to the area.

“It might be entertaining,” he said. “I can’t condemn something other people might really like. I might go up there myself. Sometimes I like to be able to go hear music and relax.”

First event scheduled for mid-September

The Mountain View Amphitheater is set to hold its first event Sept. 18.

Danny Seraphine and his band will open. Seraphine was the original drummer and co-founder of the band Chicago.

Seraphine’s current band, California Transit Authority, will be performing many of Chicago’s hit songs from the 1970s and ’80s as part of Seraphine’s “Take Me Back to Chicago Tour.” The special guest is area rock legend Joe Grushecky.

Courtesy of Rich Engler  

The concert, which begins at 7 p.m., is being produced by longtime Pittsburgh concert promoter Rich Engler.

“The view is like taking Mt. Washington, and if you had an amphitheater there, you’d look out and you’d be able to see the city skyline and the buildings and many miles up and down the river. This is very similar,” Engler said. “It’s taking the top of a mountain in Harmarville and putting in an amphitheater stage and looking out at hills and valleys. What a great spot.”

The Mountain View Amphitheater is owned and developed by Gary “Gus” Francis, who also owns Allegheny Concrete Recycling. Francis declined to comment.

Engler said he is bringing in all of the national concert acts at the site. For now, this is the only show Engler has scheduled. However, a “Halloween Band Bash” featuring local acts AC & The Resistors, Tina Daniels Band and Curtis and the Shakers is scheduled for Oct. 23, according to the amphitheater’s website.

Depending on how the September event goes, Engler is hoping to have at least one show a month with a national act at the venue next summer.

“We thought if we got one in there (this year), that would be sufficient,” he said.

Harmar Township Supervisor Bob Exler said permitting issues are still being worked out, but the amphitheater has the potential to create a “great opportunity” for the township.

“To have an amphitheater in Harmar with all the restaurants we have, you know people would stop and shop and eat. It benefits the community,” he said.

Cans, bottles or coolers are not permitted at the venue, but food trucks and other refreshment facilities will be available. Parking is available at the site.

“I hope that Pittsburghers will be happy that a new flexible capacity boutique amphitheater has been built in the greater Pittsburgh area servicing all concertgoers with easy venue access, plenty of parking and great sight lines,” Engler said.

Ticket information is available online. For more information about the amphitheater, call 412-390-5466.

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