By Gariot Louima
East Jefferson bureau
9/28/2000 -- As far as the Jefferson Performing Arts Society is concerned, plan A remains a new $30 million arts center.
But with a new performing arts center nowhere on the immediate horizon, the art society's board of directors has decided to forge ahead with a Plan B: a significant fund-raising drive to refurbish the East Jefferson High School auditorium, its current center.
"Until the dream for the real center comes true, we'll need to provide for the creature comforts," newly elected JPAS President Wayne Keating said.
The organization estimates it needs $2.5 million to extend the lobby, add an elevator for handicapped patrons, enlarge the stage and add a loading dock for delivery trucks bringing in cumbersome sets.
JPAS Executive Director Dennis Assaf announced the plans to applause recently at the 150-member group's annual meeting at Lafreniere Park.
--- Still dreaming ---
That does not mean the group is dropping efforts to get the new $30 million facility. That has been a dream since JPAS was formed in 1978.
It already has land for a new facility; the parish donated a portion of land on the LaSalle Tract adjacent to Zephyrs Field on Airline Drive. And parish officials already have financed construction of a $2 million meeting hall on the tract, which eventually will be part of the arts center, parish Councilman John Lavarine said.
The problem is the price tag: The $30 million needed to put a building on that land remains elusive. State Sen. John Hainkel, D-New Orleans, pledged last year to get $15 million, but so far there is no money in hand, though a bill to pay the $15 million was approved.
And there is no guarantee the $15 million ever will make its way to Jefferson Parish; projects throughout the state are lined up for financing. With only so much cash to go around, some never get off the drawing board, Lavarine said.
Lavarine said JPAS could opt for a smaller center: $4 million and 500 seats. "I think we can get the money for that," he said.
Even if the $15 million is received from the state, the other half would have to come from private donations. "I agree with them (JPAS) that everyone would prefer the $30 million center, but how are you going to get the $30 million?" Lavarine asked. "That's a tough nut to crack."
--- Time of the essence ---
Lavarine said he is concerned the group will spend the next few years trying unsuccessfully for the $30 million center. Then, in 3 1/2 years, when term limits force Lavarine out of office, his successor may decide an arts center is not a good idea.
"We need to get our footprints on the area or we could lose the project," Lavarine said. "The district councilman will be in charge out there."
Still, Lavarine said, JPAS has time to pursue the $30 million dream before deciding whether to scale back. For now, JPAS officials are concentrating on raising money to renovate the East Jefferson High auditorium. "Given the fiscal health of the state, we realize the immense challenge of raising $30 million," Assaf and other JPAS members said.
--- A facelift at EJ ---
Howard, Montgomery & Steeger Performance Architecture is designing the renovations. Michael Howard, a JPAS member and partner in the architectural firm, said the company has planned the construction of more than 100 concert and theater halls for colleges, universities and municipalities across the country. The company designed the Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall at Loyola University and the Samuel Dubois Cook Fine Arts and Multipurpose Center at Dillard University.
Howard showed two slides of preliminary renderings, one detailing the floor plans and the other picturing a patio-like entrance, neon marquee and new stage house.
"Aesthetically, the building will have a true ceremonial entrance," Howard said. "From a code standpoint, it will be barrier-free," with an elevator for handicapped access.
From a performance perspective, Howard said, the renovated auditorium will be acoustically and theatrically superior.
"For the first time it will have a true stage house with a scenery- rigging system, dressing rooms and toilet rooms, all essential for the creation of wonder and delight needed for the theater," Howard said.
For audience comfort, the renovated auditorium will have a larger lobby and more space for concessions. In addition, restroom facilities will double.
"This project will benefit both East Jefferson High School and the Performing Arts Society," Howard said. "But it could never take the place of a real performing arts center."
School system officials agree. "We are elated," said Jefferson Parish School Board member Martin Marino, whose district includes East Jefferson. "I don't think this board will do anything but work with them."
--- Making sacrifices ---
The newer changes would not come all at once. Howard said it will take eight months, once the money is raised.
Said Keating, the group's president: "I would suspect that what we're going do is attack (the renovation project) step by step, stage by stage. As soon as we raise money, we go with the first stage."
Assaf said the group would have to sacrifice one of its summers to get the more complicated portions of the job done without interrupting classes. The Jefferson Parish School Board has to approve any work done on the auditorium.
"This is an investment," Assaf said. "Our organization has been blessed by tremendous philanthropy coming our way. Leaving the auditorium in a highly improved state is our philanthropy to the children of Jefferson Parish."
Not all JPAS members are as excited. For Anita Silvernail, $2.5 million is a bit much if the goal is to move out.
"(JPAS) shouldn't be raising money to improve property owned by the School Board to the tune of $500,000 a year," Silvernail said.
But Assaf said the organization has used the auditorium for more than a decade without paying rent and would continue to use it long after a new center is built, because the performing arts society often stages more than one show on any given night.