Dr. Phillips Center Announces $1 Million Gift - Ceremony Marks Final Milestone Before Groundbreaking
April 29, 2010
Today, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, along with the City of Orlando and the Orlando Fire Department celebrated huge milestones with the receipt of the Center’s 21st million dollar gift and the commemoration and demolition of former Fire Station 1. Nearly 300 members of the community attended the celebration which marks the beginning of site preparation for the Center’s official groundbreaking this fall.
Judson and Joyce Green of Orlando, Fla. gift of $1 million to the performing arts center was recognized by the Dr. Phillips Center Board Chair Jim Pugh. The Green’s, avid supporters of the arts as music graduates of DePauw University, were impressed with the leadership and perseverance of those involved in the mission of the Dr. Phillips Center and felt it was an important project for the Orlando community. Joyce Green has been a member of the Dr. Phillips Center board of directors since April 2008.
“The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will enrich our community for generations,” said Joyce Green. “As passionate believers in the importance of the performing arts and music education, we are excited to help bring this world-class project to reality so that it can be enjoyed by everyone who lives in or visits our great community.”
Speakers at today’s presentation included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando Fire Chief Miller, and Dr. Phillips Center Board Chair Jim Pugh and President Kathy Ramsberger. The ceremony began with a Pipes and Drums processional, color guard presentation and welcome by Mayor Dyer. Students from the Parramore Kidz Zone helped raise the new Dr. Phillips Center flag showcasing the Center’s new name. The demolition of Fire Station 1 concluded the ceremony. The event culminated with a community hot dog lunch sponsored by Dexter’s and Four Rivers Smokehouse, cooked and served by City of Orlando fire fighters.
“Today signals the beginning of a new era in arts and entertainment in Central Florida, as we begin to prepare the site for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts,” said Mayor Dyer. “The Dr. Phillips Center promises to be a showcase for world-class performances, but will also serve as a catalyst for thousands of jobs for local residents.”
With the mission of creating a center for multicultural artistic excellence, the Dr. Phillips Center will embrace virtually every culture, interest and walk of life. The Dr. Phillips Center includes the 2,700± seat Disney Theater, 1,700±seat Multi-form Theater, 300± seat Community Theater, banquet space and public performance plaza that can accommodate up to 3,000 people. The project’s construction will be staged, starting with the construction of the 2,700± seat Disney Theater and the 300± seat Community theater in fall 2010.
As designed, the Dr. Phillips Center is expected to create thousands of jobs and deliver an estimated local economic impact of more than $200 million through the first year of operations. Additionally, the Dr. Phillips Center is committed to enhancing arts education and will impact approximately 90,000-110,000 students each year upon opening its doors.
