Future of performing arts center hits high note
EDMOND — After years of discussions and studying, architects have revealed their final study for a possible $44 million performing arts center, but multiple challenges still remain.
Some of the largest concerns are cost and a feasible place to construct a building if it is ever approved.
“This is going to be a long and careful project that we are not going to rush,” said Councilwoman Victoria Caldwell, who is the only city council member on the steering committee.
“We are only in the first 10 percent of the process,” she said.
In the latest citywide survey about future projects, 46 percent of almost 1,000 responding Edmond residents said they wanted the city to pursue a performing arts center, which is a high number according to Caldwell.
Citizens, business leaders and council members have expressed concerns about how to pay for it.
Picking up a majority of the possible construction tab would be taxpayers, who approved a half-cent sales tax extension for capital improvement projects. Their share could be about $26 million.
However, multiple projects have been recommended on that sales tax extension, and not all could be funded, including the performing arts center.
The rest of the cost, about $18.5 million, would be left up to the university, either through bonding, donations or student fees.
Sustaining operations at the facility would require more than $1.1 million the first year and cap out at $1.35 million in year four, if ticket sales and other income is sustained.
Recommendations are for the university to operate the facilities, in addition to a new foundation being created for fundraising.
The building
The size of the performing arts center could span 108,562 square feet, with a total seating capacity of 1,050.
The center could have two theaters, with the largest seating 800 people. There would also be a multiuse theater for 250 people, equaling about 30,000 square feet for both.
The center could house the University of Central Oklahoma’s School of Music, taking up about 42,000 square feet.
No location has been selected, and the city could choose to not follow the recommendations, but multiple site locations have been considered for the new center, including near Second Street and University Drive.
This could face the main auditorium toward University Drive with a possible parking garage on the east side of the building in a current parking lot. The location is owned by UCO.
The study outlines concerns that having the location on campus would not help growth in downtown and would not be as welcoming for community members.
The second location could be on the acquired land of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church directly west of the campus on University Drive and First Street.
This option would have the building facing east toward University Drive and a curved lobby facing south and east. A possible location for a parking garage could be east of University Drive in the current parking area at UCO.
Other locations include the Citizen’s drive-thru bank at Hurd Street and Broadway with a parking garage on the east side of the block.
The final proposed location could be where the current Downtown Community Center is located at Main Street and Littler Avenue.
This option would require the building to be split among two locations, though.
Annual attendance for the theater is expected to be about 90,000, growing to around 100,000 in the fifth year of operation.
In total, 350 parking spaces are required, which equates to one space for every three people.
A parking garage was suggested at every location, however, the survey stated downtown and the university will need parking if the new center is approved.
What is next
No public meeting has been scheduled to discuss the final study, but Caldwell said a presentation is expected to go before the Edmond City Council.
“It is not a done deal,” Caldwell said. She has been involved in trying to get a performing arts center in Edmond since the mid-1980s.
The city and university could look for funding and location options. Finding a private sector leader to advocate for the center and establishing a fundraising committee are also suggested before a master plan is finalized, according to the report.
Construction on a center would take about four years if approved by the university and city council.