Performing Arts Center Eastside

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Performing Arts Center Eastside Takes Shape; Announces New Board Members

Influential group to head development of much-needed arts center on Eastside

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cheryl Engstrom 425.487.0682

BELLEVUE, WA (Aug. 22, 2002)—The Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) today announced the election of its new directors. Driven by the vision of a multi-purpose performing arts space on the Eastside, the nonprofit organization is kicking off fundraising and planning efforts for the arts and entertainment center, a long-held dream of business, community and city leaders.

"Our goal is to raise sufficient funding to design, build and operate this multi-use performing arts venue by fall of 2006," said Patricia Herbold, chair of the board of directors. "We estimate the cost of development and establishing a permanent operating endowment for the 1800-seat theater to be approximately $75 million."

PACE is designed to host a wide variety of arts and entertainment, from touring Broadway shows to ethnic music concerts. The center will be equipped with the latest technology, such as computerized lighting controls and tunable acoustics. The seating arrangements will comfortably accommodate various-sized crowds from 750 to 1800.

The city of Bellevue recently passed a resolution supporting PACE's proposal and cited research conducted by the city showing a strong Eastside market for a performing arts center. The resolution declared that "the PACE performing arts center would represent a magnificent addition to Bellevue and the surrounding region."

PACE's fundraising efforts were kicked off with a commitment by Kemper Freeman, a member of the board of directors, to accomplish the donation of a building site for the new center. The site, located at the corner of 106th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 10th Street in downtown Bellevue adjacent to Bellevue Place, is valued at more than $8 million. In addition, PACE has received other funding pledges of $500,000. "Beginning this effort with such significant donations bodes well for the campaign," said Kemper Freeman, who will head up the capital campaign for the board. "The board is made up of community and business leaders who are committed to the arts and have track records of success in their efforts on behalf of this area."

Performing Arts Center Eastside Board Members:

Officer Board Members:

Additional Board Members:

About Performing Arts Center Eastside:

Formed in 2002, PACE is a non-profit organization with a vision of funding, constructing and operating a premier performing arts center in downtown Bellevue. PACE will fill an urgent and long-standing need of the continuously increasing arts and entertainment audience on the Eastside and in the region.