As we move closer to achieving a premiere destination for the arts in Orlando, one thing is clear: the process that first inspired our mission remains the heart of our future development.
Create a great multi-cultural center for artistic excellence
Develop a center of arts education for children and adults alike
Establish a destination for Floridians and tourists
Build a welcoming place establishing community pride
Create an environment encouraging participation and new experiences
2003
City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer & Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty re-ignited the performing arts center initiative which has been on the forefront of community discussion since 1988.
The Mayors charged Jim Pugh, chairman of Epoch Properties Inc. and Jim Seneff, CEO of CNL Financial Inc. with heading up the effort of defining WHAT the performing arts center should be, HOW MUCH should it cost, and HOW should it be paid for?
Mayor Dyer positioned Katherine Ramsberger, former City of Orlando Cultural Affairs Director, to lead the initiative as the Executive Director.
The team conducted extensive research and consultation on the need and appropriate business approaches. In addition, the team traveled around the country to meet with other performing art center executives to identify best practices within the industry.
The Orlando Performing Arts Center Corporation, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation was established.
2004
The initial board of directors comprised of top community and business leaders in Central Florida were recruited to assist with the development and creation of the Orlando Performing Arts Center (OPAC).
2005
During the study phase, OPAC hired best-in-class consultants in performing arts operations, finance and fundraising to investigate approaches and assess the viability and sustainability to develop and operate a performing arts center.
Ultimately, a "developer led" approach was selected. OPAC conducted a national search for a development partner. Hines, an internationally renowned development firm, was chosen through a public procurement process.
Barton Myers Associates was brought on as the project’s Design Architect. Based in Los Angeles, the firm is responsible for the exterior design of the performing arts center and will also provide construction documents for the interior of the theaters.
Barton Myers, himself,has earned an international reputation for excellence in architectural design with projects ranging from houses to large urban developments. As an innovator in theater design, Myers designed the first “courtyard” theater in the United States, as well as the first multi form theater in the world at the scale of 900-2,000 seats. At every scale, many of his projects have been pioneering efforts, garnering many prestigious design awards, among which are the American Institute of Architect’s Gold Medal, the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada Gold Medal, and a coveted Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Notable performing arts projects include including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, and Tempe Center for the Arts in Arizona.
OPAC kicked-off a grass roots effort to engage the community in developing the arts center’s mission.
·Met with thousands of citizens including local art organizations, community groups and homeowners associations
·Hosted community forums focused on the Hispanic community, African American community, arts educators, and the general public
·Conducted surveys of over 5,000 Central Floridians who identified the performing art center's objectives
OPAC interviewed local performing arts organizations to ensure that the new performing arts center will address the needs of the multiple art based groups. Results were incorporated into the overall master plan.
A master site and funding plan was presented to Orlando City Council and Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Approval of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) fund disbursement was granted by Orange County Tourist Development Council and the use of Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds were approved by the City of Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board.
Dr. Phillips Charities donated $25 million to name the performing arts center the Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center (DPAC).
2007
City of Orlando and Orange County approved the OPAC agreement on July 26.
·A mixture of public, private, and federal funds and state grants would drive the economic engine for the design, construction, and operations of the performing arts center.
DPAC conducted a public procurement process to select the prime design team consultants including Theatre Projects Consultants for theater planning, Artec Consultants Inc. for acoustical design and Donnell Consultants Incorporated, responsible for theater costing, Anderson and Associates, P.A. for minority and women-owned business enterprise initiatives, and the production architect team of HKS Architects, Inc. in association with Baker Barrios Architects.
DPAC kicked off the City of Orlando’s Blueprint program.
First United Methodist Church of Orlando approved a proposal for DPAC to procure its land to complete the entire two-block program for the performing arts center.
The performing arts center board of directors and staff raised over $84 million in philanthropy toward the design and construction of the building.
2008
Members of the performing arts center’s design team, board of directors, city officials, and avid supporters toured select performing arts centers in Arizona, California, New York, New Jersey and South Florida in an initiative to identify design elements for DPAC's consideration.
DPAC hosted several rounds of design reviews with local and national experts in their respective fields to provide critical insight into the development of the performing arts center’s operations and functionality. Reviews were conducted with local arts organizations, performing arts partners, and experts in back of house, food and beverage, technology experts and Americans with Disabilities Act considerations.
The design team completed the schematic design phase in August.
On August 22 at a public celebration, the design of performing arts center was unveiled.
A 100-foot-tall flagpole with an orange and white “2012” flag was raised at the future location of the front door of the performing arts center. The flag was raised as a gesture of appreciation to all those, who made the project possible and as a sign of commitment to the community for the project’s future. In commemoration, names of elected officials, early donors, founding and current board members, performing arts partners, and many more advocates and supporters were etched onto the base of the flagpole.
An urban design task force was assembled to review and provide comment on creating a great urban place and aligning the Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center and its surrounding nine acres as a downtown destination.
The design team is 66 percent complete with design development.
The performing arts center board of directors and staff raised over $86 million in philanthropy toward the design and construction of the building.
Overall, minority and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) participation for the design phase of the project includes 24.93 percent minority-owned and 7.34 percent women-owned businesses – a total of 32.27 percent. This percentage exceeds the required participation level of 24 percent set by the City of Orlando.
2009
Due to the downturn in the economy, funding from the Orange County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) was delayed. This altered the original construction timeline for the performing arts center. TDT dollars remain committed to the project; however, given the existing tourism industry decline, a rebound will be needed before funds become available for construction. In response to this delay, our board and staff held exploration meetings with elected officials and government staff to identify areas where greater efficiency and savings could be achieved while still maintaining the highest level of project integrity. The board, donors and elected leadership committed to moving forward with the performing arts center’s original vision of a mission-driven, nine-acre destination.
Arts For Life, the campaign to build the performing arts center, was launched, including first offers of naming rights to current donors.
The performing arts center integrated Tessitura into its operations. Tessitura, the premier arts and cultural enterprise software, fully integrates the following functions into in one database: ticketing, fundraising, memberships, marketing, reporting, consumer relationship management, web transactions and volunteer and event management data.
The City of Orlando completed the purchase of land for the full nine-acre site.
Basem Ghneim and Betsy Granade joined the performing arts center staff as vice president of construction and associate director of community development, respectively.
More than 55 women who have helped shape and support the performing arts center, including board members, donors, elected officials, project consultants, local arts executives and staff, were featured in the May cover story of Orange Appeal magazine entitled, “In the Company of Women.”
Chesley G. Magruder Foundation granted $50,000 to the performing arts center.
Richard Kessler, board member and hotelier, named the artist meet and greet room for his $1 million gift. As such, it will be named the Richard Kessler Hospitality Suite.
As a $1 million donor, Annette Neel named the 1,700-seat multiform theater proscenium stage The Peter Family Stage.
Lynn and Chuck Steinmetz named the symphony stage in the 1,700-seat multiform theater, The Lynn and Chuck Steinmetz Stage, for their $1 million gift.
For her $1 million gift, philanthropist Harriett Lake selected the first floor ladies room as her legacy naming opportunity, affectionately named Harriett’s Ladies Lounge.
Disney announced it will name the largest of the three halls, the 2,700± seat theater.
Bryce West is the 20th donor to contribute $1 million or more to the performing arts center. He also was elected to the board of directors.
For its donation of $100,000 annually over 10 years, Tupperware Brands Corporation named the stage of the 300±-seat community hall the Tupperware Brands Community Hall Stage.
Orlando City Council approved the selection of the Orlando office of Balfour Beatty Construction as the construction manager for the pre-construction phase of the project. Minority firms engaged for pre-construction services as part of the Balfour Beatty Construction team include: GCI, Inc.; Rey Group, Inc.; RL Burns, Inc.; Forte Young, Inc. and Oraneva Consulting Group, Inc. Balfour Beatty Construction’s portfolio includes projects at Disney, Orlando International Airport and the University of Central Florida.
The performing arts center and development partner Hines collaborated with local performing artists to present the Summer Cultural Concert Series. Performances featuredLane & Company – a community-based ensemble group specializing in sacred music and Negro spirituals, as well as Latin Gospel Core, featuring Jill Colindres Recio, Saxophonist Edeimer Johnson, Nahomy Santana, and Éttienne Montalvo with Aqui Canta Puerto Rico. In lieu of entry fees, attendees of the two concerts collected over 600 school supply items for Holden Heights Community Center and Capehart Park’s Afterschool program.
The Events Ensemble volunteer committee was formed to serve as an extension of staff to create and produce one-of-a-kind event experiences and memories for a variety of audiences. Ensemble members are local event industry experts including representatives from Disney, Hello Florida!, IDEAS, EA Sports, COX Events Group and many more.
A project staging study was conducted with stakeholders, including elected officials, board, donors, arts organizations and community leaders. Several construction options and associated costs were explored: ·Realize the entire project ·Approach 1: Staged construction of the 2,700± and 300± seat theaters ·Approach 1A: Staged construction of the 2,700± and 300± seat theaters, with admin, education and building envelope (shell and foundation) of the 1,700± theater ·Approach 2: Staged construction of the 1,700± and 300± seat theaters ·Approach 2A: Staged construction of the 1,700± and 300± seat theaters with admin, education and building envelope (shell and foundation) of the 2,700± theater
During the October 15 public board of directors meeting, a vote was passed to approve a staged construction schedule, starting with the approach of building of the 2,700± seat theater and the 300± seat theater, with activity beginning in 2010.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer publicly announces the staging plan during his State of Downtown speech on October 15. Artist renderings of the three theaters’ interiors were unveiled to the public. Designed by Architect Barton Myers Associates and rendered by Craig Mullins, the renderings brought the theaters to life.
The Circle volunteer committee was created. This group of nominated community leaders representing a city or area in the six-county region, will engage their “circles of influence” to inspire others to become part of the performing arts center’s mission.
Three new members joined to the board of directors: Cheryl Henry, Chuck Steinmetz and Bryce West.
As of November 30, 2009, overall minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) participation for the design phase of the project is 29.41%, which includes 20.99% minority-owned 8.42% women-owned businesses. The total percentage exceeds the required participation level of 24% set by the City of Orlando.
Aligned with the project’s commitment to the Central Florida community and mission of creating a premier center for arts education, the performing arts center and Hines, as well as community partners Balfour Beatty Construction, Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, and Tupperware Brands Foundation, sponsored over 40 high school students, teachers and parents to attend the touring show of the acclaimed musical The Color Purple. The students from the Parramore Kidz Zone program, Dr. Phillips High School, Edgewater High School, Ocoee High School and Jones High School were selected for their scholastic achievement, passion for performing arts and aspirations to study theater or technical theater after graduation. Following the show, the students had a unique opportunity to participate in a “chat back” with the cast and crew to ask one-on-one questions about the performance and careers in theater.
Design drawings for the total project, which includes the 1,700± seat theater, were completed.
The performing arts center board of directors and staff raised over $87 million in philanthropy toward the design and construction of the building.
