The excitement in the room was palpable as some twenty media representatives received an update on Tuesday on the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (DPAC) which will break ground on Thursday. The groundbreaking celebrations will span a three-day period beginning June 23 through June 25 at the future front door of the Dr. Phillips Center on Magnolia Avenue.
Dr. Phillips Center Board Chairman, Jim Pugh told journalists that this week is a very, very momentous one and a “miracle of sorts” as the groundbreaking nears, in view of the earlier uncertainty of the project’s financing.
“This three-day celebration aligns with our mission of community outreach and is the beginning of establishing a new legacy for the performing arts”, Pugh said. “This occasion is the realization of the vision and perseverance of our board, Mayor Dyer, the Orlando City Council, and our donors.”
During the construction of phase one, two halls, a 2,800 seat large theatre for major productions and a community hall to accommodate 300 persons will be built, Pugh said. A second transitional theatre which will seat 1,700 persons will have to await the project’s second phase.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, present at the media summit, said the new Dr. Phillips Center is going to be a fabulous building, constructed using the City’s Blue Print process. Expected to generate thousands of good paying jobs, Dyer said that minority participation would be at least 30 percent, as was the case in the construction of the Amway Center.
“This performing arts center will add yet another dimension to our city’s world-class appeal,” said Dyer. “The 3,000 jobs resulting from this construction project provide a definitive boost to our economy at a time when it is most needed. My vision for this city is about economic empowerment, growth and opportunity. The Dr. Phillips Center groundbreaking symbolizes another step in getting there.”
Dyer added that, with the Tourist Tax revenues “storming back”, there would be no risk to the city, taxpayers or additional public funds required. But, should hotel taxes fall short, Dyer reiterated there is a contingency plan in place, including a $16 million guaranteed line of credit backed by major benefactors.
Observing that the total project cost is $383 million, including phase two, billed at $110 million, Dr. Phillips Center President Kathy Ramsberger said, the upcoming celebrations are “for the community and by the community.”
Although the groundbreaking had been delayed for several months, Ramsberger pointed out that once the city gave the green light for the project’s commencement, there was an overwhelming outpouring of support from local businesses and corporations to organizations, individuals and groups to contribute to the groundbreaking celebrations.
“We are humbled by the tremendous outpouring of in-kind services, cash sponsorships and donations we have received from the community. This support has been for total event resources, including everything from tents, air conditioning, production support, staging and lighting, to food and beverage and printing. The program will celebrate our local performing arts community, our children, and so many who are committed to making this possible. This speaks volumes about what this Center already means to this community and is the ideal platform to launch our endowment and capital campaigns”, Ramsberger said.
The official groundbreaking moment takes place on June 23, from 5:30-7:15 pm, with live entertainment from renowned Broadway singer and actor (and Orlando native) Davis Gaines, as well performances from the Orlando Ballet, Orlando Ballet School, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orlando Repertory Theatre and the cast of the national tour of the Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR.
Celebrations continue with an open house on June 24, 11 am – 2 pm and June 25, 12 – 4 pm, where the community is invited to enjoy performances from local performing artists and groups.
