FLORENCE — Francis Marion University has received a substantial gift from Florence resident Adele Kassab to fund the Garden Courtyard project of the FMU Performing Arts Center.
The gift is being donated in honor of Starr Ward and Beverly Hazelwood, longtime friends of Kassab. The dollar amount of the gift is being withheld at Kassab’s request.
Groundbreaking for the center, on 4.5 acres at the corner of Palmetto and South Dargan streets in Florence, will take place at 2:45 p.m. Jan. 30.
With the inclusion of alternative projects, such as the amphitheater and courtyard, the cost for the center will be $32,881,000.
The base cost of the project will be paid for with money donated by the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation, the state of South Carolina and the city of Florence.
The alternative costs will be paid for by private donations, one of which is a $325,000 donation by BB&T made in September.
“The courtyard is a central feature of the Performing Arts Center and a draw of the downtown Florence cultural corridor. This gift guarantees the construction of the courtyard,” FMU President Fred Carter said in a press release issued by the university Wednesday. “Adele’s gift is just the latest example of her family’s generosity to Francis Marion University and this community. I’m delighted that this gift recognizes the work that Beverly and Starr have done on behalf of the arts in this community and the advocacy that they’ve provided for this performing arts center.”
Adele Kassab and her late husband John have been two of FMU’s most ardent supporters since the institution’s inception, providing gifts for the music program, campus facilities, scholarships and endowed chairs, according to the university.
The center will be used for performances, programs and exhibits. The facility will also include instructional space for use by the university’s fine arts program. National traveling music, dance and theater productions will perform at the center, as well.
“The new Performing Arts Center, planned strategically in the heart of Florence, will provide many opportunities for collaboration and new educational and cultural experiences,” Carter said.
As well as being an addition to FMU, the center will serve as one of the “anchors” within Florence’s downtown revitalization efforts. Other anchors include Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library and the new Florence Little Theatre, both on South Dargan Street. These anchors will be used to attract private businesses and consumers into the downtown area.
The contractor for the center’s construction is MB Kahn of Coastal Division. MB Kahn was selected as contractor by the center’s governing board in November after its $27,722,218 bid was judged the lowest.
Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2010.
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