Minority Media Receives Update on
Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center
By Roger Caldwell
On Thursday, August 26, 2010, members of the local minority media were invited to a roundtable discussion to receive a project update concerning the Dr. Phillip Performing Arts Center, DPAC, project. The Panel included: Buddy Dyer, Mayor, City of Orlando; Jim Pugh, Chairman of the Board of Directors, DPAC; Kathy Ramsberger, President, DPAC; Sibille Pritchard, Executive Board Members, DPAC; Janeiro Coulter, Blueprint Special Project Manager, City of Orlando; Veronica Anderson, President Ander-son & Associates, P.A.; and Fitzhugh Long, President, Oraneva Consulting Group, Inc. Respective panel members gave an overview of the project, community engagement and minority and women participation. When the project is complete the arts center will include two performance theaters, a community theater, outdoor plaza, rehearsal rooms, administrative offices, and educational programming space. Given the current economic con-ditions, a staged approach has been adopted. Construction of the first stage will commence during the first quarter of 2011. The first stage of construction will include a 2700 seat Disney Theater and a 300-seat Community Theater. According to Kathy Rams-berger DPAC has secured $250 million to start construction. During the $30 million design stage, $9.3 million have been awarded to M/WBEs, which have helped to create 238 jobs. Baker Barrios Architects, WBQ Design and Engineering, R.L. Burns & Associates, and Oraneva Consulting Group, all M/WBE firms have received contracts with design or consulting work. As the city moves forward with the construction of the center in the heart of downtown Orlando, it will help revitalize the city. The entire project will have an entire economic impact of $240 million, create 4000 jobs and attract major commercial development. The goal of the blueprint is to insure that 24% of the contracts are awarded to M/WBE firms. The members of the Board of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the city have worked on this project and vision for 8 years. Even with a slow economy, the community will begin to see the construction, of the hard work and dedication of Mayor Dryer’s team, City of Orlando, and the Dr. Phillips Board of Directors.
