University of Dayton gets green light for multi-million dollar performing arts center

DAYTON — The University of Dayton got special approval from the Dayton City Commission to go ahead with plans to build a 40 million dollar performing arts center.

The new facility would go up at the corner of Main Street and Stewart Street in Dayton after commissioners overruled their own city planning boards review.

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The city’s planning board originally turned down the performing arts center due to trees in the area. The plan called for taking down four out of the five of the trees, so the planning board vetoed it.

The university came back to the city commission with a new plan that still calls for the trees to come down.

They are proposed to not remain in the implementation of the site plan. However, 56 new trees are proposed of all sizes and species.

The university’s architect, Mark Thurnauer, said the schools studies show there will eventually be more tree canopy coverage.

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“Conservatively, we’ve estimated that the new trees , in 10 years, will match the existing coverage of the site,” Thurnauer said.

With eleven times the number of trees promised as are currently on the site, commissioners said they felt good about approval.

“We’re not in the habit of overruling the plan board, we have a healthy respect for what they do, they serve well,” Matt Joseph, Dayton City Commissioner said.

The decision means UD can build a 50,000 square foot performing arts center at Main Street and Stewart Street.

UD planners said its a space for performances, such as music and dance.

They anticipate it will also be used by the community and will be the home of student media instruction as well.

The university says the band practice field will remain while the Performing arts center is built.

Construction could begin as early as next month.

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