Based on an expert’s report, the Performing Arts Center Committee concluded that a performing arts center of the right size and quality is feasible, Chairman Gary Shoemaker said Aug. 17 to City Council.
Shoemaker said his subcommittee was formed in September 2013 to determine whether either a conference or performing arts center funded by hotel occupancy tax revenue was a viable option for the city.
“The city, in any development goal, is looking to enhance the tradition of Lakeway as a high-quality, low-volume resort destination for Texans,” said Janis A. Barlow, principal at Barlow and Associates, who was hired by Lakeway to calculate the feasibility of a performing arts or conference center in the city.
She reported to Lakeway City Council in December that a conference center was not a feasible project.
However, during the August meeting, Barlow said that a gap exists in the availability of small, 800-seat theaters in the Austin area. She said this type of facility could host local presentations and touring artists as well as seasonal festivals that would draw overnight visitors.
Lakeway residents have the affluence and interest to sustain a performing arts center, Barlow said. The Lakeway area has more than 3,600 households that buy tickets to the Long Center for the Performing Arts, she said.
“What we’re looking at is a professional or festival main stage twice the size of Zach’s Topfer Theater,” she said.
Barlow said a preliminary building plan could include a main stage venue of 800 plush seats, a second stage of 250 seats and a dedicated rehearsal hall. She said she estimated each of the three venues would be used from 140 to 200 days per year and cost about $400 to $500 per square foot to build. She said the total cost for a 48,000-square-foot facility would be about $25 million.
“You want this building to have Lakeway’s stamp and brand on it,” Barlow said.
The center would require a staff of 16 full- and part-time employees and an annual operating budget of between $1.2 million and $2 million, Barlow said.
Mayor Joe Bain said the city will discuss the project at upcoming City Council work sessions and will follow with public comment opportunities.
Based on an expert’s report, the Performing Arts Center Committee concluded that a performing arts center of the right size and quality is feasible, Chairman Gary Shoemaker said Aug. 17 to City Council.
Shoemaker said his subcommittee was formed in September 2013 to determine whether either a conference or performing arts center funded by hotel occupancy tax revenue was a viable option for the city.
“The city, in any development goal, is looking to enhance the tradition of Lakeway as a high-quality, low-volume resort destination for Texans,” said Janis A. Barlow, principal at Barlow and Associates, who was hired by Lakeway to calculate the feasibility of a performing arts or conference center in the city.
She reported to Lakeway City Council in December that a conference center was not a feasible project.
However, during the August meeting, Barlow said that a gap exists in the availability of small, 800-seat theaters in the Austin area. She said this type of facility could host local presentations and touring artists as well as seasonal festivals that would draw overnight visitors.
Lakeway residents have the affluence and interest to sustain a performing arts center, Barlow said. The Lakeway area has more than 3,600 households that buy tickets to the Long Center for the Performing Arts, she said.
“What we’re looking at is a professional or festival main stage twice the size of Zach’s Topfer Theater,” she said.
Barlow said a preliminary building plan could include a main stage venue of 800 plush seats, a second stage of 250 seats and a dedicated rehearsal hall. She said she estimated each of the three venues would be used from 140 to 200 days per year and cost about $400 to $500 per square foot to build. She said the total cost for a 48,000-square-foot facility would be about $25 million.
“You want this building to have Lakeway’s stamp and brand on it,” Barlow said.
The center would require a staff of 16 full- and part-time employees and an annual operating budget of between $1.2 million and $2 million, Barlow said.
Mayor Joe Bain said the city will discuss the project at upcoming City Council work sessions and will follow with public comment opportunities.
