By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
A Phoenix City Council subcommittee was briefed this week on the expansion of The Phoenix Theatre Company’s building on Central Avenue.
The property at 1825 North Central Avenue is owned by the city.
The expansion project will convert the Phoenix Theatre Company into a full-fledged proscenium theatre by adding a stage tower, orchestra pit, full fly loft and improvements to back of the house support areas.
The current phase of the expansion and upgrades totals 10,000 square feet and will attached to the existing Black Box structure at the theater.
The Phoenix Theatre Company is celebrating its 100th Anniversary next year. It is one of the leading performing arts organizations in the Southwest.
The expansion project costs $13.5 million and is being privately funded. No city funds are being allocated for the improvements. The Phoenix Theatre Company is slated to reimburse the city of Phoenix $200,000 for design review and construction management services that part of the expansion.
The Phoenix Theatre Company has raised approximately half of the money needed for the expansion and has hired a design team contractor. The city has drafted language to extend a previous renovation and improvement agreement with the theater for the new expansion.
