In Saturday’s (12/18) Orlando Sentinel (Florida), David Damron and Mark Schlueb write, “More than three rocky years after approval of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, builders have told Orange County the project could be stopped in its tracks without a $30 million loan. In a handful of closed-door briefings with county officials in recent weeks, the team leading the effort to build the long-sought arts center has acknowledged it is $30 million short and asked the county to come to the rescue with a loan that would allow construction to begin almost immediately. Without the county’s help, the center faces further delays, a threat to millions in state funding and the potential loss of frustrated donors, they have said. But county officials, including Mayor-elect Teresa Jacobs, aren’t sure where the cash-strapped government would get the money. They’re also asking tough questions about how the arts center has spent the money it’s already collected.” The center, originally scheduled for completion in 2012, is the planned home to several Orlando-based arts groups, including the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orlando Opera, the Orlando Ballet, and the Festival of Orchestras.
Posted December 22, 2012
