The Brickyard has become an integral part of the revitalization of downtown Mansfield. Originally referred to as the Temple Court Parking Lot, and still in fact a private parking lot by day, The Brickyard provides a beautiful and acoustically suitable area for outdoor concerts. In 2007, Downtown Mansfield, Inc. began hosting the Final Friday Concert Series. Shows were held May through September, with one band per evening and maximum attendance of 100 people per event. From 2008-2013 growth was steady and based upon spectator feedback and increasing attendance, the concerts were a hit. In 2013, and to date, concerts are now held May through August, include three bands for a total show time of 5 hours and draw on average 4,000 people per evening. Due to the increase in visibility The Brickyard has also been used by a variety of local community organizations including Pioneer Art Academy, Neos Dance Theatre and Great Ohio Bike Adventure.

During the past eight years, as we’ve developed the current functionality of the Brickyard and grown the attendance of the Final Friday Concert Series, demand for similar private rental space has increased. DMI has received a number of inquiries for use of space and has identified an opportunity to meet public demand, create a new long term funding stream for DMI programming, while increasing foot traffic in the downtown Mansfield business district.