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• PERFORMING ARTS CENTER * SOUTH BEND, IN Memorandum To: Marcia Jones, President, Redevelopment Commission cc: Jackie Homann, President, Morris Entertainment Inc. Margaret King, Morris Entertainment Inc. Chris Hartz, James Childs Architects Tim VVall Ken Herceg 97 A SS^rlateS . I .. From: Dennis J. Andres, Executive Director, Morris Center Complex Date: November 22, 2010 Re: Project Funding Requests Item # I The Morns Civic Auditorium closed in January 1998, underwent a major 26 month renovation/restoration project that cost $17.4 million dollars (soft & hard costs) and reopened in FPhn�ary of 2,000 as the Morris Perfnr _ Mi am m s/Ps e is owned by the Redevelopment Authority and the renovation/restoration was a public and privately funded project. I was hired in May of 2000 as Executive Director responsible for the operation of the Morris and Palais and later my duties increased to include the scheduling of and service to events that are planned to take nlara in the Jon R Hunt Pla,za,/Parl{ r -a.,_ The Morris and Palais have separate operating budgets. The Parks Department handles the Hunt Plaza/park lawn maintenance, the lawn sprinkler system, the flower gardens, and the operation of the plaza fountain. However, neither the Parks Department nor the Morris/Palais receive funds in their annual budgets to pay for the service or plaza/park maintenance supplies that the departments provide. Ten years ago the Morris was renovated/restored to the grand space it once was when it first opened in November of 1922 and we continue to work hard to keep the venue active and well maintained to preserve and protect the renovation/restoration work that took place. The Morris has ranked consistently, over the past ten years, among the Top 100 Theaters Worldwide and regularly falls among the Top 50 Theaters. An economic impact study of the Morris was accomplished in 2007 (Abstract/Executive Summary Attached) and found that the total indirect economic impact of the Morris/Palais on the local community to be at least $5.9 million dollars per year. Over the past ten years therefore, it may deduced that the Morris/Palais has had nearly a $60 million dollar economic impact on our region generating over $3.5 million dollars in sales tax revenue. While the renovation/restoration of the Morris cost $17.4 million dollars, several items of the project were not undertaken due to the lack of funds available at that time. Those items include: a) The restoration/replacement of the windows and doors in the Grand Lobby-, b) The upgrade of the restrooms in the lower level below the Grand Lobby; c) Tuck pointing and sealing/painting of the exterior north wall of the facility; and d) The installation of an orchestra pit lift and cover. Morris Performing Arts Center • 211 N. Michigan Street • South Bend, IN 46601 Office: (574) 235 -9198 • Fax: (574) 235 -5604 • http: / /www.MorrisCenter.org