Sarasota Orchestra Considering Alternative Sites for New Concert Hall in City of Sarasota

At a City Commission workshop on June 25, 2018, Sarasota Orchestra President and CEO Joseph McKenna provided a status report on the Orchestra's comprehensive planning for a new concert hall and shared the Board's decision to explore alternative facility sites not on the Bayfront but in the City of Sarasota.  The Board made the unanimous decision to ensure Sarasota Orchestra's ability to grow its mission and service to our region. 

"For the past several years, Sarasota Orchestra has been studying the feasibility of a new concert hall that would enable us to expand our work on behalf of the community," said Arn Hoffman, Chair of the Board's Facility Task Force  "We have been carefully and thoroughly reviewing every aspect of a new facility in light of four critical success factors:  timeliness, artistic and educational integrity, philanthropic considerations, and business and economic vitality." 

Additional considerations evaluated by the Board include the extended timeline to build out the Bayfront, projected sea level rise, and parking and traffic concerns.

In his presentation to the City Commission, Joseph McKenna underscored the Orchestra's support for the efforts of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization.  "We have been an active, collaborative participant with and an early, ongoing supporter of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization," he said.  "The Board's decision enables us to pursue alternative locations in the city and to remain a firm supporter of the Bayfront master planning process."

For more than fifty years, the Orchestra has partnered with the City of Sarasota to advance the region's reputation as a cultural destination.  Founded by and for the Sarasota and Manatee communities, the Orchestra is determined to accelerate its work to enrich lives and elevate the artistic, educational, cultural, and economic vibrancy of our region.

"We are honored to bring the magic of live musical experiences and education to nearly 90,000 people each year, and we intend to accelerate our excellence, outreach, and impact in the years ahead," said McKenna.