PACE Selects New Theatre Design Consultant; Opening Date Revised
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cheryl Engstrom, for PACE, 425.487.0682 or 
BELLEVUE, WA. (May 22, 2006) – The Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) announces today the selection of Schuler Shook as the new theatre design consultant. Schuler Shook is an internationally recognized theatre consulting firm with extensive experience in the planning of performing arts facilities. Peder Knudson of Knudson & Ward, Inc. had previously served in this role prior his retirement. PACE Architects, Pfeiffer Partners, conducted the search, along with Project Manager Maria Barrientos of Barrientos LLC.
Recent and current projects for Schuler Shook in the Seattle area include the renovation of Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, planning for a new performance facility at Seattle University, and the renovation and expansion of Eastvold Hall at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
"With projects like the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago, the Boston Opera House, and Toronto's Panasonic Theatre, the designers at Schuler Shook prove they can create performance spaces that work exceedingly well for touring theatre productions and that support diverse user groups such as dance, opera, and orchestra companies," says Richard Collins, executive director of PACE.
"We are excited to join the team that is creating the new performing arts center in Bellevue, "said Robert Shook, partner at Schuler Shook. "I am looking forward to working with Dick Collins and to teaming again with Maria Barrientos. Maria and I met with great success working together on McCaw Hall. PACE has assembled a fantastic design team."
With this change, and several additional factors, PACE board of directors and management also announce a projected opening for 2009. The additional time is needed to raise funds, to develop the final architectural, acoustic, and technical designs, and to accommodate the required permitting process with the City of Bellevue.
According to Collins, the timing couldn't be better to mount a campaign to add a world-class performance hall to the rapidly expanding Eastside. Bellevue has become an increasingly important city to the region and the changes taking place here have created a palpable excitement that is contagious and invigorating. With the revitalization of the Bellevue Arts Museum, the opening of Lincoln Square, the construction of the Washington Square mixed use project and other new restaurants, housing, retail, hotel, and parking structures, all within walking distance of downtown, the skyline of Bellevue is changing and the streets are full of activity both day and night.
"We are already seeing a significant change in the progress of our fundraising because of this growth and, also, because we now have the campaign leadership in place," says Linda Bonomi, director of development, referring to the $100 Million Capital and Endowment Campaign Co-Chairs Kemper and Betty Freeman and Chuck and Karen Lytle.
Performing Arts Center Eastside is a 2,000-seat premier regional center for the performing arts. Its mission is to enrich cultural life with a wide diversity of live entertainment, arts, and education. PACE will stimulate the arts region-wide; attract new audiences; heighten arts awareness and education; provide a performance home for select area arts organizations; and serve as a cultural center for the Eastside.
PACE plans to open in 2009 and it will be located in downtown Bellevue on the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE. The $100 Million Capital and Endowment Campaign has raised $14M with 100% board participation and the gift of land valued at $8M.