A&P Commission Postpones Decision on Funding for UA Performing Arts Center
By: Kyle Leyenberger
Updated: November 13, 2012
The University of Arkansas will have to wait until December to hear if the city will help pay for a state of the art performance hall.
The school plans to renovate its old Field House into a 650 seat performing arts center, but administrators are asking the city to pitch in, saying the new facility will bring extra tax revenue to town.
"It will change the face of the music department," says Ronda Mains, Chair of the UA Music Department. "It means the world to us. We have never had a facility where the students can rehearse and perform in the same space."
Donors have promised to pay some of the $17 million price tag, but the school asked the city's Advertising and Promotions Commission for $1 million. Administrators say the venue will bring arts patrons to town, adding to the city's Hotel Motel and Restaurant tax.
"The commission kind of stepped back and said well we need to do our due diligence in investigating this proposal," says A&P Executive Director Marilyn Heifner. "A thing that the commissioners always look at is does it put heads in beds and does it put new seats in restaurants so that we can grow that tax."
The commission decided to postpone a decision until they can hear from the city's Town and Gown Committee, made up of members from city government and the university.
Heifner says the commission does have about $2 million in its reserve fund, and they plan to decide if any of that cash will go toward the performance hall at their next meeting on December 10.
"It will change the face of the music department," says Ronda Mains, Chair of the UA Music Department. "It means the world to us. We have never had a facility where the students can rehearse and perform in the same space."
Donors have promised to pay some of the $17 million price tag, but the school asked the city's Advertising and Promotions Commission for $1 million. Administrators say the venue will bring arts patrons to town, adding to the city's Hotel Motel and Restaurant tax.
"The commission kind of stepped back and said well we need to do our due diligence in investigating this proposal," says A&P Executive Director Marilyn Heifner. "A thing that the commissioners always look at is does it put heads in beds and does it put new seats in restaurants so that we can grow that tax."
The commission decided to postpone a decision until they can hear from the city's Town and Gown Committee, made up of members from city government and the university.
Heifner says the commission does have about $2 million in its reserve fund, and they plan to decide if any of that cash will go toward the performance hall at their next meeting on December 10.
More News
-
New Officers Not In City Budget
Rogers looking to hire policeman later in the year
Read More» -
Bible Program
Many Gravette elementary school students attend a religious class during school hours.
Read More» -
NWA Makes Top 10 List
Forbes.com names NWA one of the best cities for growth
Read More» -
Suspected Puppy Mill Busted In Madison County
Investigators say uspected puppy mill operators may have been stealing dogs.
Read More» -
Small Towns to Treat Own Wastewater
Some Washington County towns are taking water treatment issues into their own hands.
Read More»
Page 6272 of 6781
©1998 - 2013 Nwahomepage.com
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved