FAYETTEVILLE — Peter Lane, Walton Arts Center chief executive officer, made his pitch Monday for why Advertising and Promotion commissioners should commit $8.5 million in taxpayer money for planned arts center renovations.

“The expansion of the Walton Arts Center’s Fayetteville facility will be monumental,” Lane said. “It’s a huge project with far-reaching impact-not just for the Walton Arts Center, but for Dickson Street, the region and, most importantly, Fayetteville.”

Individual commissioners voiced support for Lane's request, but the commission made no formal commitment Monday. A decision could take several months.

Arts center officials want to put the $8.5 million toward a planned $20.6 million renovation to their Dickson Street building. Renovation plans include a new lobby, backstage area, lighting in the center's 1,201-seat Baum Walker Hall and a 60-to 85-seat expansion of Starr Theater, which currently seats 165 people. All work is expected to be finished in 2015.

The arts center asked for $2 million-payable over two years-out of commission reserves. Marilyn Heifner, commission executive director, estimated reserves at $2.4 million Monday. Additional money could come from extending hotel, motel and restaurant tax-backed bonds voters approved in 1997 to build the Fayetteville Town Center. According to 2011 estimates by Stephens Inc., extending Town Center bonds another 25 years could generate about $6.7 million. In 2011, arts center officials wanted A&P commissioners to commit that money to a new 600-seat theater on Dickson Street. Plans for the venue shifted when the University of Arkansas announced it would add a similarly sized concert hall on campus.

Extending Town Center bonds would require City Council support and ultimate approval by Fayetteville voters.

Heifner said Monday she expects all existing Town Center debt to be repaid in 2015.

Lane said the arts center's renovations will free up space for additional events in Fayetteville. Starr Theater is often used as dressing rooms during large Broadway shows. More backstage space will allow the arts center to hold multiple performances at the same time, Lane said.

Improvements to the Rosen Memorial Rose Garden and the possible addition of a catering kitchen could draw wedding receptions and other community events, said Jeff Schomburger, chairman of the arts center's board of directors.

Schomburger said programming in Fayetteville will be largely unaffected by plans for a 2,200-seat performing arts center in Bentonville.

"We're going to do six to eight Broadway shows here (in Fayetteville) for the next 20 years, regardless of what happens," Schomburger said.

Lane predicted renovations will bring 22,500 new attendees to arts center performances each year.

"This means more people spending money on food, drinks and parking and generally enjoying the Fayetteville Entertainment District," he said in Dec. 20 letter to Heifner.

Commissioner Bob Davis noted Monday that $1 million out of Advertising and Promotion reserves for the next two years would be more than 30 percent of the commission's $3.1 million annual budget. By comparison, the commission awarded $304,528 to 40 groups seeking special event funding in 2012. Those groups included the Fayetteville Roots Festival, Fayetteville Half Marathon and high school 7A boys and girls state basketball tournaments.

"Our challenge as an A&P Commission is to be able to answer the questions of the people who want to know, 'Is the A&P Commission now, do we just funnel money to the Walton Arts Center,'" commissioner Maudie Schmitt said. "Will these little festivals still be able to get money and start up their own little things? Or is our money going to now be stretched out and very thin."

Commission chairman Ching Mong said, "I like the idea, but we do need to approach it carefully." Commissioners voted to wait until next month to decide whether to partner with the city on a survey asking Fayetteville residents what projects they would like to see funded if Town Center bonds are extended. Davis said he wasn’t sure if a public survey qualified as a legal use of commission funds.