City of Lakeway consultant Janis Barlow said she was “quite convinced” a proposed performing arts center can help the city achieve its development goals. She spoke during the Lakeway City Council’s special session March 21.

“This [performing arts center] would be the only professional, purpose-built, contemporary presenting theater in Austin,” said Barlow, who is the principal associate at Janis A. Barlow and Associates. “I think it is appropriate for Lakeway. The probability of [its] success in Lakeway is outstanding.”

Research

Citing local community theaters as well as midsize and large theaters in Austin, Barlow said an 800-seat theater would fill a niche missing in the area’s performing arts centers.

She said the programming of fan-based performers—such as Keb Mo, Kristin Chenoweth, Clint Black and Lyle Lovett—would attract residents from throughout the state who would spend the night in Lake Travis hotels.    Barlow said the 48,000-square-foot center with three stages could accommodate a maximum of 1,200 people.

Cost, funding

Barlow said the project would cost about $25 million, which does not include the cost of the land purchase for the center. The project would be funded 25 percent from the local public sector, including counties, municipalities and the hotel occupancy tax, or HOT tax; 25 percent from the extended public sector, including state and federal agencies; and 50 percent from private-sector contributions.

Gary Shoemaker, chairman for the Performing Arts Center Committee, said the project would not be funded by a bond package.

The projected time frame for raising funds for the proposed Lakeway theater is about six years, Barlow said.

“What we are trying to do with this is to put our HOT tax dollars into it in a manner consistent with state law,” Lakeway City Manager Steve Jones said.

Barlow said that both the Paramount Theatre and the Long Center for the Performing Arts expressed an interest in partnering with Lakeway on the proposed center because they lack the opportunity to host shows in a theater of the size the city is considering.

Site considerations, cost

Shoemaker said his committee is considering three properties for the center: a tract on the Oaks at Lakeway site, a tract on the eastern side of RR 620 and a tract by Lexus of Lakeway.

City Council members voiced concern over raising half of the expenses for the center from private donors.

“My No. 1 concern is we find ourselves with something we have overbuilt,” Council Member Ron Massa said. “Over 50 percent comes from fundraising. I don’t want to get to the point that [the center] is the only thing we do [with HOT], and at that point it won’t sustain itself.”

The next step for council is to determine the project’s specific costs and confirm its fundraising proposal.