Gov. Ridge Releases $20 Million For Regional Performing Arts Center In Philadelphia
Commonwealth’s commitment to RPAC now stands at $63 million
July 8, 1999
Standing at the site of what will become one of the nation’s great performing arts centers, Gov. Tom Ridge today released $20 million in capital budget redevelopment assistance funds for the construction of Philadelphia’s Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC).
With this announcement, the Commonwealth’s financial commitment to RPAC now stands at $63 million.
"Today, we have seized an historic opportunity -- ensuring that the people of Pennsylvania will be enriched, educated and entertained for generations to come," Gov. Ridge said.
"Philadelphia’s Regional Performing Arts Center is the very best kind of public-private partnership -- individuals, corporations, foundations and public dollars all coming together to build what will be a spectacular landmark. What a wonderful and exciting time for the arts in Pennsylvania!"
Immediately following Gov. Ridge’s announcement, RPAC Board members revealed that -- in recognition of this new gift -- the grand public lobby in the Center will be named "Commonwealth Plaza."
"Our aim has always been to create a center for everyone, a building that invites all," said RPAC Chairman Willard Rouse. "Thus, we are delighted to dedicate our grand public space to the people of Pennsylvania. It is a building for all of us, our children and our grandchildren. We thank the Governor and the Commonwealth for embracing our plan for the future."
Additional state funding for this project was enabled last February when the General Assembly approved Gov. Ridge’s plan to raise the cap on the capital budget’s redevelopment assistance fund by $650 million for vital community and economic development projects statewide.
This $20 million release of capital budget funds for the RPAC project raises the total dollars pledged to $227 million toward a goal of $255 million. With more than two years before the Center opens, the fund-raising goal is at 89 percent completed.
"With this gift, we can now see the finish line," said RPAC President Stephanie Naidoff. "Today is a great day for all Pennsylvanians. This gift is an investment in our future. RPAC will enrich our quality of life for generations to come. It will also stimulate economic development throughout the new century. Our shared dream is now fast becoming a reality. I am thrilled."
The Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC) was formed in 1996 to merge The Philadelphia Orchestra’s campaign to build a new concert hall and the Avenue of the Arts Inc.’s campaign to build a performing arts center. The result of this merger is architect Rafael Viñoly’s award-winning building, now under construction. It will open in the fall of 2001. Additionally, RPAC will assume management of Philadelphia’s venerable Academy of Music.
The new center will contain a 2,500-seat concert hall, a 650-seat recital theater and a grand public plaza, all of which will be enclosed by a 150-foot vaulted glass roof. The design also includes an education center, restaurants, offices, rehearsal rooms, a gift shop and support spaces. With a capacity of more than 6,000 seats, it will be one of the largest performing arts centers in the country.
Resident companies will include: The Philadelphia Orchestra; the Opera Company of Philadelphia; the Pennsylvania Ballet; Philadanco; the American Theater Arts for Youth; Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra; and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.
The performances of these and other local groups will be complemented by national and international performing arts events that traditionally have bypassed Philadelphia for lack of appropriate space. These events include touring orchestras, theaters and ballet companies, pop-music acts and first-run Broadway tours.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a Commonwealth grant program for the acquisition and construction of economic, cultural or civic improvement projects. The Pennsylvania General Assembly must authorize funding for projects before they can be considered by the Governor.
Since its inception in 1985, the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program has helped build more than 150 projects in 31 Pennsylvania counties. Of those 31 counties, the following nine now have received redevelopment assistance funding for the first time under the Ridge Administration: Bradford; Butler; Cumberland; Greene; Lehigh; Lycoming; Mercer; Monroe; and Warren.
Since 1985, more than $1 billion in redevelopment assistance funds have helped to leverage $2.3 billion in local matching funds.
Projects range from museums, zoos, theaters and cultural centers to airports, convention centers and industrial parks.
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