Walton Arts Center Wants $8.5 Million for Fayetteville Expansion

A&P Commissioners To Consider Request Jan. 14

An artist’s rendering shows what the Walton Arts Center could look like after an expansion of its Dickson Street campus. Arts center officials have requested $8.5 million from the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission to help with the planned renovation.
An artist’s rendering shows what the Walton Arts Center could look like after an expansion of its Dickson Street campus. Arts center officials have requested $8.5 million from the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission to help with the planned renovation.

— Walton Arts Center officials want taxpayers to help renovate the performing arts venue on Dickson Street.

At A Glance

Arts Center Renovation

Walton Arts Center officials plan to begin a $20 million renovation in Fayetteville late this year. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2015. Construction on a new performing arts center in Bentonville is expected to begin in early 2016 and end by mid-2018.

Source: Walton Arts Center

Peter Lane, arts center chief executive officer, requested $8.5 million earlier this month from the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission. The money would go toward an estimated $20.6 million construction project, which includes a new lobby, backstage area, theatrical lighting, administrative offices and expanded Starr Theater at the 20-year-old center.

“We are very excited about this project and believe it has the potential to make a significant and transformative impact on Dickson Street, Fayetteville and the region,” Lane said in a Dec. 20 letter to Marilyn Heifner, executive director of the commission. Heifner forwarded Lane’s request to commissioners Friday.

Lane made the case in the letter that renovations will bring more visitors and new tax dollars to town.

Terri Trotter, the center’s chief operating officer, said new dressing rooms and back-of-house storage space will free the 165-seat Starr Theater for more performances. Starr Theater is often used as a dressing room during shows with large casts and crew. Sixty to 85 additional seats in Starr Theater will increase attendance, Trotter said.

When some University of Arkansas performances move to a new campus concert hall, the arts center’s 1,201-seat Baum Walker Hall will be available about 25 days more each year.

Arts center officials expect to draw 22,500 new attendees annually after renovations are completed.

Web Watch

$8.5 Million Request

Go to the online version of this story at nwaonline.com to view a full copy of the Walton Arts Center’s $8.5 million request to the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission.

Source: Staff Report

According to research by Americans for the Arts, average event attendees spend nearly $30 on top of the price of their ticket for means, transportation and overnight lodging-thereby replenishing some of the commission's investment. That figure doesn't take into account the cost of labor and material purchases associated with construction.

A 2 percent tax on hotel stays and food purchases in Fayetteville is the commission’s main funding source.

Earlier this month, commissioners cut in half a $1 million request from the university for the campus concert hall. The $17 million project plans to convert the Old Field House on Garland Avenue into a 700-seat theater.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan asked for commission support in April 2011 to extend bonds used to finance the Fayetteville Town Center. New money was to be used for a 600-seat addition to the Walton Arts Center. Extending Town Center bonds, which voters approved in 1997, was expected at the time to generate $6.7 million. The 1997 bond issue generated approximately $7 million. Commissioners never took action on the request and arts center officials dropped plans for a 600-seat theater in Fayetteville.

The center’s recent request asks for $2 million from the commission’s operational budget and/or reserve fund payable over two years. An additional $6.5 million could come from extending Town Center bonds, which would require the City Council’s and voter approval.

Heifner said earlier this month she expects all Town Center debt to be repaid by 2015. She estimated about $2 million in principal and interest remains.

Maudie Schmitt, chairwoman of the commission, said in an email Monday commissioners need more information about attendance numbers, the arts center’s annual budget and the status of the Arkansas Music Pavilion before seriously discussing Lane’s request.

The commission is scheduled to consider the request for the first time Jan. 14.

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