Avenue of the Arts dance studio breaks ground on 1st major renovation in years

A dance and theater venue on Avenue of the Arts North broke ground Monday on the first phase of its capital project, which includes additions that the venue said will increase programming through the summer months.

Since Performance Garage was founded in 2002, it's served as a space for Philadelphia's dance community — including companies and individual artists — for rehearsals, productions, workshops and more. It's also been a venue for FringeArts' Fringe Festival since 2009.

But since it was founded — and when the main facade underwent a renovation — there hasn't been a large-scale renovation project that took a look behind the facade. That is, until now.

The first phase of Performance Garage's capital project will include updates and repairs to the dance studios, professional theater space, dressing room, lobby and administration offices.

The venue, which did not have air conditioning installed, will put in a custom HVAC system as part of phase one, which the venue said would "help increase programming during summer months and through the Fringe Festival."

Other renovations will include new dance floors, a repositioning of the lobby entrance, a raised tech booth area, new carpeting, window and door insulation, and repairs and painting.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 31, with a grand reopening party slated for Sept. 13 – open to the public.

The phase one budget totals about $700,000; Performance Garage has received $500,000 from the city of Philadelphia through the Cultural and Commercial Corridors Bond Program.

The venue has started a capital campaign to raise the remaining $200,000 in order to complete the renovations.

Cofounders Jeanne Ruddy and Victor Keen established the Capital Project Match Challenge, in which they will match every donation made to the Capital Campaign by July 15 dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, according to Performance Garage.

About $50,000 has been raised as of May this year, according to a spokeswoman.

Project Manager William Connor of Avison Young will lead the first phase of the capital project. Architect services will be provided by Jeb Brookman of Manifest Architecture and Design.

Direct Air will design, fabricate and install a custom HVAC system. General contractor Tangent Construction Management Corp. will coordinate all other construction.

Phase Two

Performance Garage will also undergo a second phase in its capital project, transforming two undeveloped floors — second and third — of the building into rental properties, which will generate earned revenue to support the operating of the venue.

It's also a way for Performance Garage to diversify its income to include a long-term sustainable source, according to the venue. Cultural institutions have been aiming for diversified streams of revenue in the past few years. (Read more here.)

For phase two, Performance Garage’s sent a $1 million grant application to the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, or RACP, which is currently pending.

The $500,000 received from the city and funds raised through the capital campaign will qualify as matching funds required for RACP, according to Performance Garage.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal