Arts Center Plan Is Too Costly for Council

Amid fears that the city cannot afford $11 million for a cultural arts center and community theater, the City Council has directed the Planning Commission to reduce the cost.

The long-awaited arts center at 15th and Monroe streets was originally budgeted at $7 million, but the price tag escalated in recent months as architects have tried to accommodate requests by city officials.

Current plans call for a 31,000-square-foot center with a 414-seat theater and banquet rooms for as many as 700 people.

“We need to cut it down to $7.3 million,� said Councilman Tony Lam, who joined a 3-1 vote to refer the matter to the Planning Commission. The commission, he said, “will work with the architect and the cultural arts council to get a clear-cut view of what we need to do.�

Lam said that since the theater space is a priority, the center’s lobby might be reduced.

“We don’t want to cut down the [theater] seating,� Lam said. “But the lobby area looks very elaborate and costly, so maybe they can cut that down to save money.�

Councilwoman Margaret Shillington voted against the proposal because, she said, the council should be making the decision.

“We’re playing games with this,� she said. “We didn’t want to make the tough decisions so we’re letting the Planning Commission make them.�

Shillington said the city cannot afford the $11-million price and has requested a series of town hall meetings to gauge public opinion.

“I think we should get public input and see if the people really want this center,� Shillington said. “It’ll be taxpayers’ money.�

Talks on the project have been going on for 18 years.