Government
BY SAMANTHA DOUTY & ALEX REECE
Frisco eyes performing arts center with $160M ballot item
Frisco voters will see two propositions related to the Frisco Center for the Arts project on the May 3 ballot, potentially bringing Broadway shows to the city and performance spaces to Prosper ISD. Frisco City Council members placed the prop- ositions on the ballot during a Feb. 4 meeting with a 5-1 vote. The bond, if approved, would not increase the city’s property tax rate. Council member Brian Livingston voted against the item but said he was in favor of bringing the decision to voters but that he was personally opposed to the project. The rst proposition asks voters to authorize the Economic Development Corporation to use its sales and use tax, not property taxes, for a city- owned performing arts facility. The second propo- sition asks voters to authorize the city to issue up to $160 million to go toward the art center. Neither of the propositions will o cially approve the Frisco Center for the Arts, just one of the funding sources for it. “I’ve been proud to be part of the process of and the dream of bringing the performing arts center to the residents of Frisco,” Mayor Je Cheney said. The breakdown As of Feb. 4, the project is expected to cost between $300 million-$340 million. Funding for the Frisco Center for the Arts would not come from Frisco alone—PISD signed a letter of intent in October pledging it would put $100 million toward the project from its $125 million arts facility bond that voters passed in 2023. Aside from the letter of intent, PISD has not voted to partner with Frisco for the project. The rest of the funding would need to come
from corporate and individual gifts as naming rights for the facility and performing centers are sold, according to a meeting presentation from Theatre Project Consultants Inc. Theatre Projects is one of the consulting groups hired by the city for the project. The vision for the center includes: • A 2,800-seat performance hall, capable of accommodating Broadway and large touring and community productions • A 300 to 400-seat community hall to be used primarily by PISD while also providing access to community organizations and events “Prosper ISD will have predominant and rst right of refusal into that [community] space,” said Gena Buhler, a principal with Theatre Projects. If the project continues—a nal decision won’t be made until after May 3—the arts center would be built at a Frisco-owned site at the southwest corner of US 380 and Dallas Parkway. The property is located inside the city and PISD’s boundaries. Frisco o cials are currently searching for a venue operator, Buhler said. Keep in mind The city funding through the bond is the major rst step before creating the performing arts center. There are several other approvals that have to happen to start construction and a nal decision on the city moving forward on the project will be made this summer. As of Feb. 4, the facility would most likely open in 2030, Buhler said. The project is dependent on the city, PISD and donation sources, she said.
The Frisco Center for the Arts will appear on residents’ May 3 ballot. (Rendering courtesy Theatre Projects)
DNT TOLL
380
Proposed site
N
Project funding sources
Individual gifts Projected $50M-$60M
Corporate gifts Projected $50M-$60M
City bond Pending approval, no more than $160M
Prosper ISD Current commitment $100M
Total project cost estimated between $300M to $340M
SOURCES: CITY OF FRISCO, THEATRE PROJECT CONSULTANTS INC. COMMUNITY IMPACT
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FRISCO EDITION
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