Historic attraction could soon become partners with a performing arts center
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 9:10 a.m.
Read more: Local, Community, Entertainment
TRAVERSE CITY -- It's valuable as a historic arts attraction.Over the last several years it's developed as a key player in the economic growth Traverse City is striving for. Now a big-time Performing Arts Center might partner with the City Opera House.
The Wharton Center brings in headlining acts like comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Broadway shows to East Lansing. City leaders hope they'll do the same locally.
The Community Development Director, Bryan Crough, says "there are a lot of exciting things happening that have happened at the Wharton and I'm expecting we're going to get a piece of that if the deal goes forward"
Crough tells 7 & 4 that discussions started earlier this year. He believes the reason the Wharton Center is interested in merging, may be because of the $8.5 million dollar renovation project.
"We want this facility to be maximized. We want it to be alive. Utilized to its fullest while respecting the historic nature of the building and the incredible investment the city has made." he explains.
Workers here at the Downtown Development Authority also say any negotiations that are being made, are being made with current City Opera House employees in mind.
"It will be a great learning experience for them because this will be a professional company that does this all the time." says Crough
The next step is for City Commissioners to hear a tentative plan and that could happen later this month.
