ORLANDO, Fla. The Orlando Performing Arts Center (OPAC), a nonprofit corporation, shortlisted four firms during a public short-list evaluation meeting held at Orlando City Hall on Tuesday, August 16. OPAC received five responses to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a developer to construct a multi-faceted performing arts complex which will include educational facilities, public plaza, parking structures, and potential commercial expansion.

The OPAC Short-list Committee chose the development firms of Carter of Atlanta, Georgia; Hines International of Houston, Texas; KUD International of New York, New York; and Trammell Crow Company of Orlando, Florida. Carter, Hines International and KUD International accepted interviews with the OPAC Executive Committee. Upon completion of the interviews, the Executive Committee and Board of Directors will then select a developer partner for the project. Announcement of the selected developer will occur in September.

"All the submitting developers have tremendous experience," stated OPAC President and Chairman Jim Pugh. "We are fortunate to choose from such highly qualified firms."

The Orlando Performing Arts Center, a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation, has been charged by the city of Orlando to outline recommendations to build a destination that elevates the arts, provides the best arts education, generates urban renewal, and most importantly, is programmed to be fiscally responsible in construction and operations. For more information about the OPAC initiative and community involvement opportunities, please visit www.orlandopac.org.