The details
City Council was presented with several alternative options for the $300 million-$340 million project during an Oct. 21 work session. Council directed staff to conduct a survey aimed at determining why residents voted against the bond proposal.
Voters previously approved $15 million in funding as part of two separate bond propositions over the years to be used on cultural and arts projects, with the intent of using the money on a performing arts center, according to city documents. That money is still on the table to potentially fund an arts facility, according to city documents.
The specifics
Council was presented with four options for facilities of various sizes and costs.
The original plan was to build a 2,800-seat large hall and a 400-seat community hall. The facility would have spanned 220,000 square feet at a cost of about $310 million, partially funded by bond dollars if they were approved.
Alternative options presented to council include:
- A $270 million, 2,800-seat large hall
- A $170 million, 800-seat community hall
- A $250 million, 1,750-seat large hall and a black box community hall
- A $13 million expansion of the Frisco Discovery Center, with a 150-seat black box theater and a rehearsal room
Two bond propositions that would have helped pay for the $310 million facility were rejected by voters during a May election.
Proposition A would have authorized the Economic Development Corporation to use proceeds of its sales and use tax for a city-owned performing arts facility. Proposition B would have authorized the city to issue up to $160 million in bonds to go toward the art center.
About 59% of voters rejected Proposition A and 64% of voters denied Proposition B.
What’s next?
City Manager Wes Pierson said city staff would start compiling questions for a community survey about the performing arts center bond proposals that were rejected.
A timeline wasn’t given for when the survey will be available for residents, but council members said they wanted to wait for the results before moving forward.
