Frank Torres
Two Central Florida corporations will provide $1 million each to benefit ongoing construction at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando.
DPAC officials told about the awards Tuesday afternoon, telling Florida Politics that they could approach the state Legislature again next session for additional money.
The two companies making million-dollar contributions are direct sales company Tupperware Brands and Ravago Americas, a distributor of thermoplastic resins.
Both companies are previous donors with naming rights to existing facilities. The Tupperware Brands Lobby welcomes artists, students and people doing business at the arts center. The Ravago Terrace Bar on Tier 3 overlooks the Seneff Arts Plaza and the DeVos Family Room.
The project’s Phase 2 will consist of the 1,700-seat Steinmetz Hall, joining the existing 2,700-seat Walt Disney Theater and the 300-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater; both venues are already in operations since the Dr. Phillips Center opened in November 2014.
The projected cost is $177 million, and officials said they hope to raise $35 million by January and break ground on the project in May.
DPAC President and CEO Kathy Ramsberg said she was prepared to ask for state funding again this Legislative Session, in an effort to swing the venue towards completion.
“This project is reaching people throughout the country,” she told Florida Politics. “We are contributing to the tourism. The jobs created will be significant. If economic development is a driver is Florida, this is a project we’ll have to support.”
Although the Phillips Center had been allotted $5 million dollars in this year’s budget, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the item, as well as other local projects including the proposed University of Central Florida’s downtown campus.
