FAYETTEVILLE — The Walton Arts Center Council approved a motion Tuesday to hire Portland, Ore.-based Boora Architects to integrate the center’s expansion needs with a new parking deck on the south end of its property.
“This is happening,” said Peter Lane, council CEO. “The light is green and we are moving. We need an architect to come on board and help us.”
At A Glance
Walton Arts Center Parking Deck Update
The Walton Arts Center Council will work cooperatively with the city to ensure:
-Administrative offices meet Walton Arts Center needs
-35 replacement parking spaces
-Reasonable rent/moving expenses
-Shell out backstage area as part of initial evacuation
-Operational impacts on arts center are minimized
Next Steps
-Hire Boora Architects to integrate the center’s expansion needs with a new parking deck on the south end of its campus.
-Re-engage Shuler Shook as theater planners
-Integrate the city parking deck team
-Request the Advertising and Promotion Commission for design, pre-construction and construction campaign support
Source: Walton Arts Center Council
Earlier this month, the Fayetteville City Council chose the arts center as the best of three locations for a three-story, 246-space parking deck.
The arts center is also planning a $20 million renovation, which will include a new backstage space, an expanded Starr Theater and a new lobby.
Construction of the parking deck, expected to begin in May or June, will require tearing down and rebuilding the arts center’s administrative offices.
Terri Trotter, arts center chief operating officer, said while the parking deck site causes some complications from the center’s perspective, the Walton Arts Center for years has expressed the need for more parking.
“The timing of this presents us with many challenges and opportunities,” she said. “We desperately need this expansion.”
Fayetteville aldermen have said they’re willing to pay to replace the center’s administrative offices, excavate an area where the center’s new backstage space is to be built and construct a shell building for the new backstage area.
The City Council also agreed to reserve 35 free parking spaces in the deck or across School Avenue from the deck to replace 28 arts center parking spaces lost when administrative offices are demolished. Aldermen agreed to pay reasonable rent and moving expenses associated with arts center administrators having to find a temporary home.
“The city is mindful to say that we’re not in the business of interrupting performances,” Lane said. “That’s where the design team comes in. We’ll be asking them, how do we plan this out in a way that allows us to continue operating. I think we’ll learn a lot more in the next six months.”
The arts center council also approved a motion seeking support from the city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission.
The commission recently pledged $500,000 to the University of Arkansas for a 700-seat performance venue.
The estimated $17 million concert hall will be renovated in the Old Field House on Garland Avenue. Construction is set to begin next fall.
“When people ask us what the city is doing to help, we want to have an answer,” Lane said.
He added that the arts center expansion is projected to bring in 22,500 more people to Dickson Street annually, which would generate about $1,129,240. Lane said the arts center council has already met with commissioners and the mayor to discuss proposals, though he couldn’t provide specifics.
“That’s what we’re working to come up with right now,” Trotter said.