The dream of having a dedicated Performing Arts Center to showcase local arts agencies like the San Antonio Symphony, Opera, and Ballet and to attract national and international events is coming to fruition. Today the Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation, City of San Antonio and Bexar County unveiled the center’s conceptual master plan developed by Lake/Flato Architects with Ford, Carson and Powell.

Mayor Phil Hardberger said that the new center will serve as a testament to the importance of the arts in our community. “San Antonio is a city that loves the arts,” Mayor Hardberger said. “I’m proud that our citizens support the construction of a Performing Arts Center that will expand our already flourishing arts scene.”

Under the memorandum of understanding between the three entities, the Foundation is responsible for submitting a conceptual master plan to both the City and County as part of its planning of the $132 million renovation of Municipal Auditorium. Through the Visitor Tax extension, the County will contribute $100 million to the project.

The plan shows the conversion of the 82-year-old Municipal Auditorium into a world-class Performing Arts Center with a 1,700- to 2,000-seat performance hall, rehearsal hall and a multi-purpose studio theater. The plan was created based on public comments elicited during the exploration phase of the Bexar County Performing Arts Center. The renderings highlight key conceptual features such as a new emphasis on connecting to the River Walk, preservation of the iconic frontage of the existing buildings, and integration with Memorial Plaza.

“The Municipal Auditorium is a beautiful piece of our history and now will be utilized to its full potential,” County Judge Nelson Wolff said. “This renovated building will continue its role as a symbol of this community’s strong ties to the military, serve in a new capacity as home to our cultural community and become an anchor for this area’s overall renewal.”

The initial sketches provide a visual starting point as the Foundation begins the process of assessing the needs of resident performing arts groups, educators and patrons.  “The conceptual master plan is based on much of what we have already heard in our initial conversations with these groups, but there are deeper conversations still to be had.  We see this as a real opportunity for our community, and not just a chance to design a building or makeover a space,” said J. Bruce Bugg Jr., chairman and president of the Foundation.

With approval of the conceptual master plan by the County and City, the Foundation will begin its search for the architectural team that will design the Performing Arts Center.  “We will be conducting a comprehensive national and international search for the architects, designers, acousticians, and other sources of creative talent to become partners in this process.  We need people who have great ideas, expertise, a strong sense of our mission, and the ability to work together for the good of the project,” Bugg said.  “There is a definite awareness of the emotional connection people have to this place.  We are preserving, innovating, and expanding all in the same place, so it’s crucial that we find the right mix of talent.”

On May 10 Bexar County voters approved extending the Visitors Tax that will provide $100 million dollars toward the renovation of the existing Municipal Auditorium and San Antonio Fire Department headquarters to create the Bexar County Performing Arts Center.  Headed by Chairman/President J. Bruce Bugg Jr., Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation is a nonprofit organization that will own, redevelop and operate the center. 

 

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed, Foundation President and Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., and Mayor Phil Hardberger unveil conceptual master plan.

Performing Arts Center conceptual master plan unveiled

06/02/2008

The Municipal Auditorium is a beautiful piece of our history and now will be utilized to its full potential.

— County Judge Nelson Wolff

San Antonio is a city that loves the arts. I’m proud that our citizens support the construction of a Performing Arts Center that will expand our already flourishing arts scene.”

— Mayor Phil Hardberger

San Antonio Symphony Director David Green looks over the interior plans

Architect Ted Flato describes his inspirations for the conceptual master plan.

Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation

700 North St. Mary’s, Suite 125, San Antonio, Texas 78205  (210) 223-3333  Fax (210) 224-0980