Mayor Rybak Applauds City Council Action Providing $2 million for Shubert Theater
Federal funds for transformed dance center means 100 jobs now
June 2, 2009 (MINNEAPOLIS) – Mayor R.T. Rybak today applauded the City Council for approving a proposal to use $2 million from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to rebuild the Shubert Theater. Construction to transform the nearly 100-year-old theater and the Hennepin Center for the Arts into a center for dance in Minnesota could begin as early as this fall. Mayor Rybak said that he will sign the Council’s action without delay.
“With this action today, we are helping to create more than 100 construction-related jobs and 48 permanent jobs,” Mayor Rybak said. “The Shubert Theater will help continue the revitalization of Hennepin Avenue with its theater district, Central Library and nearby Twins ballpark.” Once completed late next year, the Shubert will provide affordable space for more than 40 non-profit organizations that employ approximately 1,200 people.”
More than $36 million has been raised to date for the Shubert and this $2 million investment from the City will help fill the final funding gap needed to begin construction this year.
“We have demonstrated that collectively and in partnership with Hennepin County, we can bring federal stimulus funds to Hennepin Avenue to get people working, and ultimately, get people dancing,” Rybak added.
The approval of $2 million for the Shubert was part of a package of projects the City is proposing to be funded by the ARRA. This amount is part of approximately $3.6 million Minneapolis expects to receive in Community Development Block Grant recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Minnesota Shubert Center, being created by Artspace Projects, is a new home for dance and music that honors tradition, nurtures innovation, encourages exploration, and presents performances and programs that delight and inspire. This three-building complex on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis will be a flagship for dance dedicated to providing a performance, rehearsal and administrative home to Minnesota arts organizations and educational resources statewide. Integral to the Center’s mission is providing high-quality arts education to students throughout the State of Minnesota. www.mnshubert.org.
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