$100 million fund announced for Performing Arts Center at Ground Zero

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Governor David A. Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced an agreement to create a $100 million fund for the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center site with federal funds directed to Lower Manhattan.

In an article today at observer.com, Matt Chaban wrote that the center originally was also supposed to include the Signature theater, " but the group abandoned the building over uncertainty about its completion - or even realization - for a site in midtown.

"As the redevelopment of ground zero trudged along, it was not clear there would be funds for the performing arts center, and it was nearly cancelled earlier this year. That is because the spaghetti of tunnels and mechanical systems that undergird the entire 16-acre site was being held up over the project's uncertain future," according to the article.

"The new $100 million adds to the $50 million of 9/11 rebuilding funds that had already been set aside for the project. Andrew Brent, a mayoral spokesman, said the rest of the funding would likely come from private sources, though that has not officially been determined," the article said.

"Our collective desire to put $100 million towards the development of the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center site makes clear that the cultural venue is a critical part of the ongoing revitalization of Lower Manhattan," said Mayor Bloomberg.

"The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation will work to finalize the details regarding this and other allocations for key infrastructure, development, transportation and open-space projects that will be made possible because of these federal funds," Mayor Bloomberg declared.

"I am pleased that $100 million has been appropriated for a Performing Arts Center in Lower Manhattan, and that the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Board is working to award all of the remaining federal funds that were allocated to revitalize this community," said Governor Paterson.

"These funds will help to transform Lower Manhattan," Governor Paterson said in the joint announcement, "while attracting small and big business, improving the conditions of our streets and parks, and welcoming visitors from other parts of the City and from all corners of the world."

"We are creating a world-class venue for music, dance and the performing arts that will be a celebration of the vital cultural life of our Downtown neighborhood," Speaker Silver said, adding that he thanked Governor Paterson for his support and commended Chairman Schick, President Emil and the LMDC Board for moving ahead with this project" and also saluted "Community Board One for its unflinching commitment."

Federal funds will also be used for Lower Manhattan utility infrastructure upgrades and economic development, transportation, cultural and community projects, including the East River Waterfront Esplanade and Piers Project, upgrades to Water Street, small business development, the completion and maintenance of parks and transportation improvements.

In 2004, the internationally-recognized Joyce Theater was selected to be a prime tenant in the Performing Arts Center.

In 2006, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Board allocated up to $55 million in funding for the Performing Arts Center.

Gehry Partners - working in collaboration with HOK Architects and Faithful + Gould - has developed a design for the building containing a 1,000-seat theater, a secondary theater, rehearsal spaces, classrooms, a public cafe, outdoor plazas and administrative space. An early model of that design is shown at the right.

Below-grade coordination work was begun in 2007, and engineering drawings for the foundations were completed in 2009.

Earlier this year, the Port Authority began construction of the Performing Arts Center foundations and associated utilities as a part of its ongoing work at the PATH Station.

The planned center is estimated to cost about $450 million.