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ACC provides progress report
Tim Sapp / Staff photo - Former Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson provided an update and presentation on the Arts of Collin County project. The presentation impressed several of the people who attended the event, held at the Westin Stonebriar Resort. The project, however, remains $22 million short of the funds needed to begin construction.
By Heather M. Smith, Staff writer
Orchestra music played in the background of the lobby -- set up with small intimate tables and candlelight -- while people mingled before the main event.
The Arts of Collin County hosted the event Thursday night at Frisco's Westin Stonebriar Resort where over 120 interested residents listened to a report on the progress of building a world-class arts park and performance hall.
"This is very impressive," said Shelie Shonk, a Frisco resident. "I think this project is something to be proud of and it's definitely something this community needs."
"This is so wonderful for the community," Hobbs said. "This is something we've needed for a long time."
The Former Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson delivered his presentation on the status of the performance hall. Members from the Frisco City Council attended as well as million-dollar donators Stan Graff and Betty and James Muns.
Simpson stressed to the crowd that Collin County has everything - retail, sports venues, and great schools - everything except a performing arts hall. He said the addition of a performance hall to the area can improve the quality of life for residents. He said the goals of the ACC commission are to develop the finest regional arts park in America while integrating all types of arts, to create a family focus and gathering place for families and to create a pedestrian environment.
"One of the things people don't know enough about is how far we've come and how far we have to go," Simpson said.
During his presentation, Simpson informed the crowd that out of the estimated $90 million it will cost to complete the project, the commission only needs another $22 million. The project already has a countywide advisory committee, a master developer plan, the site standards are complete, the theater is designed, approved and ready for construction and Melissa and Fairview joined as member cities. The design for the performance hall, completed by a "world-class design team," has already received two awards.
The vision of the ACC is to create an environment where all citizens can share and enjoy in the full diversity and vitality of the arts, the former mayor said. Simpson said the benefits of Collin County having an arts park and performance hall will be the significant impact on the economy, the improvement of the quality of life, the ability to nurture and grow the arts and it will create an inviting lifestyle for residents.
According to Simpson, for every one child that is involved in sports, there are 3.4 children involved in the arts. The ACC performance hall will provide a place for children in the area to perform and see world-class shows, he said. Studies have shown that arts can impact learning and can improve testing scores, Simpson said.
"What people will see in the future is more presentation by this group," Simpson said. "There will be more face time and a lot more education about how much we have accomplished."
Denise Pollis and her husband Larry attended the event and before that night neither had seen a presentation on the project.
"This is absolutely incredible," Denise Pollis said. "I've heard about the ACC, but this is my first time seeing it."
Larry Pollis piped in, saying, "I wish I had a million dollars to give them."
The next steps in the progression of the ACC project are to expand fundraising, continue large donor emphasis, enable online donation and to continue to seek more exposure.
The arts park and performance hall will be located near the center of Collin County on State Highway 121 just east of Custer Road in Allen.
For information about the Arts of Collin County or to make a donation call 214-495-5800 or visit www.artsofcollincounty.org.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Costs wrote on Nov 27, 2008 11:35 AM:
" The Richardson taxpayers had to spend $1 million in taxpayer money last year for the costs to run the Eisemann Center, and this year, and next year.
The ACC theatre is estimated to cost the taxpayers $1.5 million per year. Plano taxpayers will be responsible for ~58% of that. This is more spending while our city council is cutting police and fire positions because of a multimillion dollar deficit. "
The ACC theatre is estimated to cost the taxpayers $1.5 million per year. Plano taxpayers will be responsible for ~58% of that. This is more spending while our city council is cutting police and fire positions because of a multimillion dollar deficit. "
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You are out of touch on this one./.. "