GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Summer is around the corner and Railside in Grand Island is getting ready to welcome it. 

A long-awaited project will finally get to see light next Friday. Amur Plaza has been completed. The permanent stage will host concerts and a variety of city-sponsored activities. It's also available for rental.

Railside Executive Director Sherry Siwinski said the plaza is a nice addition to downtown. 

“The whole goal of the Railside district really is to make it a destination,” she said. 

A 10-week music festival will help it reach that goal this summer.

After a ribbon cutting event on June 2, the HEAR Grand Island summer concert series will kick off at Amur Plaza.

Every Friday night from June 2 to Aug. 4, different performers will grace the stage from different parts of the state, country and even the world.

Now in its seventh year, founder Brent Lindner said the event has become a tradition.

“That what’s exciting about it," Linder said. "It’s become a tradition in our community that every Friday night you can go down for a concert with all kinds of different kinds of music, cold beverages, and food trucks; and just hang out with people in your community, in your neighborhood."

Last year, nearly 34,000 people attended the 10 shows. Lindner said he is starting to see the event's influence on the community.

“We have talked to some people in the music shops and one of the things we’ve seen is that a lot of kids are getting interested in music and we encourage that," he said. "You know, pick up instruments, start your own band, things like that." 

Two new permanent public restrooms and a baby changing station are now available at Railside.

Siwinski said more exciting things are coming.

“We do have some other new businesses and some exciting things coming to Railside, but you’re just going to wait and watch and see what’s coming,” he said.