TAMPA, Fla. — The Straz Center has nearly reached its fundraising goal, with an expansion project underway, and construction set to wrap by next summer.
More than 600,000 people visit the Straz Center each year, and now they’re hoping this expansion will increase the number of visitors they see annually.
The $100-million project will go towards expanding the area near its Riverwalk stage. Construction began in spring of last year.
Greg Holland, the President and CEO of the Straz Center, said the expansion will add a new plaza, a hospitality building, a rooftop bar and an education center. All totaled, the expansion will add 170,000 square feet to the center.
Holland said he wants the space to bring more people to the world of arts, and educating the community is where it begins.
“More than education for music dance and theater, we’ll also have specific places for our military veteran’s program, our arts and health, arts and healing program, which are big parts of the Straz,” said Holland.
He said the Straz Center has an economic impact of $100 million annually, so its not just an economic boost for the center but for businesses nearby too.
Once construction is completed late this year or early next year, Center officials said they’ll be looking at other opportunities to draw people into the new spaces.
Patrons will not need a ticket to access the expanded areas but they do say they hope this sparks more interest in the performances there.