FMU to award Performing Arts Center project to MB Kahn

By: | SCNow
Published: November 19, 2008

Francis Marion University announced its intent to award a building contract for the Performing Arts Center to MB Kahn of Coastal Division on Tuesday afternoon.

“We have reached a substantial agreement with ... MB Kahn over the past four weeks, and we have been very pleased with the outcome. We feel we have arrived at a very reasonable figure for this building,” FMU President Dr. Fred Carter said.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Download additional images of the proposed facility, click here.

Carter said the base project cost for the construction of the Performing Arts Center was $27,722,218.

With the inclusion of such alternative projects as the amphitheater and fountain courtyard, as well as such soft costs as inspection and architectural fees along with minor equipment and furniture costs, the entire project will cost $32,881,000.

This is slightly less than MB Kahn’s original bid of $33,514,766 in September.

The Performing Arts Center governing board originally projected a construction cost of $30 million earlier this year before the bidding process began.
During negotiations last month, Carter said the goal would be to trim MB Kahn to within $1 million to $1.5 million.

The base cost of the project will be paid for with donations from the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation, the state of South Carolina and the city of Florence.

The remaining $2,881,000 will be covered by private donations, one of which is a $325,000 donation by BB&T, which was donated in September.
Carter said he anticipates “a groundbreaking the second or third week of January and we will announce that as the date draws closer.”

Carter expressed excitement over the Performing Arts Center’s construction.

“We think the community will be very proud of this facility,” he said.

Besides being an addition to FMU, the Performing Arts Center will serve as one of the “anchors” within Florence’s downtown revitalization. Other anchors include Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library and the new Florence Little Theatre.

These anchors will be used to attract private businesses and consumers into the downtown area.