7 C Progress Report Morris PAC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER * SOUTH BEND, IN Memorandum To: Don Inks, Director, Division of Economic Development cc: Marcia Jones, President, Redevelopment Commission Jackie Homann, President, Morris Entertainment Inc. Margaret King, Morris Entertainment Inc. Chris Hartz, James Childs Architects Tim Wall, Ken Herceg & Associates From: Dennis J. Andres, Executive Director, Morris Center Complex Date: November 17, 2010 Re: Redevelopment Commission Agenda Item/Meeting Request Don, as you are aware, the Morris Performing Arts Center, the Palais Royale, and the Jon R Hunt Plaza are owned by the Redevelopment Authority. And I am the Executive Director responsible for the operation of the Morris and Palais. Further, the Moms and Palais have separate operating budgets and both venues have undergone an extensive renovation/restoration. Jn addition, I am responsible for and oversee the scheduling of and service to events that are planned to take place in the Jon R Hunt Plaza/park. The Parks Department handles the lawn maintenance, the lawn sprinkler system, the flower /plant gardens, and the operation of the plaza fountain. However, neither the Parks Department nor the Morris/Palais receive funds in our budgets to pay for the service or plaza/park maintenance supplies that our departments provide. Ten years ago the Morris was renovated/restored to the grand space it had been in the past 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 is ranked among the top 100 Theaters Worldwide. While the renovation/restoration of the Morris cost approximately $17 million dollars, several projects were not undertaken due to the lack of funds available. At the urging of Margaret King and the Morris Entertainment Executive Committee, I recently spoke to the President of the Redevelopment Commission, Marcia Jones, regarding the Moms' success over the past ten years; the positive economic impact it has on the local community; and its great value to the City of South Bend and the surrounding region. We also spoke of the projects that were not undertaken during the venue's renovation/restoration and the need to complete them today. Those projects include the restoration/replacement of the windows and doors on its main lobby; the upgrade of the restrooms in the lower level below the grand lobby; tuck pointing and sealing of the exterior north wall; and the installation of an orchestra pit lift. Marcia encouraged me to investigate the projects and to make a formal presentation before the Redevelopment Commission of the needs noted above. I spoke with the Morris Entertainment Morris Performing Arts Center— 211 N. Michigan Street • South Bend, IN 46601 Office: (574) 235 -9198 • Fax: (574) 235 -5604 • http: / /www.MorrisCenter.org