This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With all eyes cast on Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's bid for a $110 million "Broadway-style" theater on downtown Main Street, a similar but smaller drama is quietly playing out in Murray.
Announced early last month, the proposed Murray Center for the Performing Arts is fast becoming the municipality's bid for destination of choice among amateur performing groups.
At an estimated total cost of $25 million, the center is modest compared with Salt Lake City's ambitions. As evidenced by two public "preview" events last month, however, enthusiasm for the project is steeped in far less controversy than the city's proposed Utah Performing Arts Center.
Twelve performing arts groups have expressed interest in making the Murray Center their home base, said Mary Ann Kirk, cultural arts manager for Murray.
The schematic design is drawn for a 500-seat theater, 250-seat black box and other rehearsal and performing amenities. Murray City owns the land where the center will be built.
The proposed venue fits in well with Salt Lake County's master plan for regional arts facilities, which calls for a mix of regional and professional performing arts venues across the valley. From an urban planning standpoint, it helps that its prospective location at 4800 S. State St. sits near a TRAX station.
"It represents the first time in 20 years that Murray has gotten involved in a project to this extent," said Lynn Chatterton, who founded Friends of the Murray Center for the Performing Arts in 2008. "We all recognize the need, but the will is here now that we have a location. The timing is right."
But with Murray yet to engage in active fundraising pending a feasibility study, and Salt Lake County already low on revenue, facility proponents admit the pieces could fall into place slower than desired.
Even with the lot spoken for, Kirk and Chatterton estimate $21 million is needed for construction of the 74,000-square-foot facility. It's hoped that Murray might be able to split that cost with Salt Lake County. Murray would raise its share through a combination of naming rights, fundraising and, most likely, a bond referendum. Then, if all goes well, doors could open for the center's first play or musical performance in 2014.
Murray Mayor Dan Snarr, however, said that both the time line and eventual cost is too optimistic. It's more likely the city would need to raise $12.5 million, with a completion date of 2016.
"A lot of things have to happen," Snarr said, including the retirement of a few bonds that might free up money for facility construction.
Snarr noted, however, that the center has garnered letters of support from surrounding municipalities including Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, Holladay and Taylorsville.
"This has been a longtime vision of our arts community," Snarr said. "You have to applaud every one of them for getting this proposal off the ground, and to help make this center a reality."
bfulton@sltrib.comTwitter: @ArtsaltFacebook.com/nowsaltlake —
Murray Centerfor the Performing Arts
A proposed center might be built between 2014 and 2016. The proposal calls for a facility of 74,000 square feet, with a 500-seat theater, a 250-seat black box theater, an art gallery and rehearsal space, two 75-seat studio spaces and up to 5 retail spaces.
Where • 4800 S. State St., Murray