The Plano Symphony Orchestra is searching for a new home after Southern Methodist University in Plano, the owner of the property the orchestra leases out of, announced it listed the building for sale.
SMU in Plano, which leases out its office space to tenants like the Plano Symphony Orchestra, said it plans to relocate any existing SMU programs currently operating out of its Plano location to its main campus in Dallas.
"The SMU-in-Plano campus is for sale, but the university plans to lease space for some of its programs there for some length of time after a sale is finalized,” Executive Director of SMU news and communications Kent Best said in an email. "It is anticipated that SMU programs currently at SMU-in-Plano will eventually be moved to locations on SMU’s main campus in Dallas or relocated within the Plano area.”
Plano Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Robert Reed said the orchestra is in negotiations for securing a new location.
"We have not yet secured the lease—we are in negotiations for the terms,” Reed said. “We have identified a new location, but we’re working on the details. So we are not yet in full agreement, but we hope to be that way soon.”
SMU in Plano is a sponsor of the Plano Symphony Orchestra, Reed said. Part of that sponsorship includes providing the orchestra a discounted rent.
“SMU has … always been nice to us,” Reed said. "We have enjoyed our time
Best, the SMU communications director, said the university will provide non-SMU tenants a six-month extension on their leasing agreements beginning June 1.
Reed said it would have been ideal if a new property owner would purchase the property and allow the symphony orchestra to continue leasing out of the same space, but said the symphony orchestra is not in the position to wait.
"We love the current office space that we have, and we would have enjoyed staying here, but I don't think we are in the position of just waiting until there is a new owner," Reed said. "We just are not able to operate like most businesses by just giving us a 30-day notice."
Summer camps planned to be held at SMU Plano will continue as scheduled, Best said.
