Amped up.

Remember the Riverfest Amphitheater?

The outdoor entertainment venue that sits between the River Market and the Arkansas River is easy to forget since not much has gone on there the last few years other than the Memorial Day weekend festivities.

Well, Little Rock city officials say they're about to begin raking the concert business seriously. The city's Parks Department controls the venue and maintains Riverfront Park, and it has identified some key improvements the site needs in order to lure more concerts and events to the fresh-air venue.

"Everybody needs to understand that when we built the amphitheater 20 years ago it wasn't designed for concerts; it just wasn't," said Bryan Day, assistant city manager. "It was designed for Easter Sunday, Riverfest, Jazz Lights, little community festivals like that. We finally said to ourselves that if we're going to compete in the concert and entertainment industry that we're going to have to make improvements."

With the help of a design firm and feedback from Alltel Arena General Manager Michael Marion, concert promoter Butch Stone and Clear Channel Concerts execs, the city has completed a "wish list" it hopes to have completed within seven to 10 years.

The improvements include raising the roof and solidifying its rigging; adding a restroom facility to the west side of the park; adding a permanent, free-standing office and ticket facility; improving a route for 18-wheelers and other vehicles to load equipment in and out; and adding a backstage and catering facility.

Day said a formal resolution will be drawn up for City Board approval within 60 to 90 days.