Dr. Phillips Center expansion construction set to begin in March

DPAC needs to raise $14.7M

ORLANDO, Fla. – Construction is scheduled to begin in March on the second phase of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

The second phase includes construction of a third venue, the Steinmetz Hall, an acoustic theater where the Philharmonic and the Orlando Ballet will perform.

The 1,700-seat hall will be the second largest venue after the Walt Disney Theater and add The Green Room, a large rehearsal room and performance space with full kitchen and more lobby space, according to the Dr. Phillips Center.

New construction bids for the second phase are higher than the original estimates completed in March 2016, according to the city.

The Dr. Phillips Center still has to raise at least an additional $14.7 million to raise the project funds to $227.5 million.

The original projected cost of phase two was $185 million.

Orlando City officials have recommended the center raise an additional $10 million to cover contingency that the $227.5 million would not cover after construction costs.

The city has recommended two funding sources for the contingency costs: $5 million from the community venues bond proceeds, only to be used on community venue projects and $5 million from city reserve funding.

On Monday, the City Council will vote on the project costs and to approve the $10 million contingency funding.

Construction of the new theater, beginning March 6,  is expected to take 36 months.