Jerry Colangelo, owner of the Phoenix Suns and managing generalpartner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, has an interest in thedevelopment company, the Phoenix Downtown Theatre. The DodgeTheatre is is expected to fill the city's niche for a mid-sizedvenue, which has a current void between the 1,000-seat halls andthe 20,000-seat sports arenas, Bob Machen, managing partner of thegroup, tells GlobeSt.com.

Phoenix isn't alone in its need for the niche market. "In mostcities in this country there is a 2,000-seat and a 19,000-seatvenue, but there is nothing in between to fill the niche forsmaller concerts," Machen says. "I looked around the country at5,000-seat theaters and they are all very, very successful. It justbecame acutely evident to me that this would work."

The theater, scheduled to open by April, is being built on aparcel between 4th and 5th avenues and Adams and Washingtonstreets. It is adjacent to a new federal courthouse and a citycourthouse.