McCollum Hall restoration and adjacent business center estimated at about $16 million; RFPs to follow

Director Hilton Terry presented conceptual renderings for McCollum Hall and an adjacent 24,000‑square‑foot business center, emphasizing preservation of historic features and new performance and hospitality amenities. Terry described movable chairs and a balcony for the performing‑arts space, green rooms on the first floor, a covered portico for drop‑off, a 120‑seat restaurant and a two‑story business center with ground‑floor commercial space and second‑floor offices.

Terry provided preliminary cost estimates: "McCollum Hall restoration is just over $7,000,000," and the new business center would be "just over $9,000,000," for a combined figure in the vicinity of $16,000,000. He said the CRA has acquired surrounding parcels that likely will be used for parking and that staff plans to release RFPs for a restaurant operator, performing‑arts operator and a construction manager by the end of the month.

Why it matters: commissioners emphasized the importance of green rooms, backstage support and honoring local history; staff said the city's budget proposal would include an initial allocation to begin the project and that the CRA is pursuing tax‑credit and private funding opportunities. Public commenters and local arts stakeholders expressed support for keeping operations and opportunities local.