Visionary plan

June 13, 2010

Last week, Mayor Joe Riley unveiled a visionary plan for the proposed Gaillard Center, saying it was time for Charleston to seize an opportunity that may never come again. I could not agree more.

Gaillard Center will include consolidated city offices that will save taxpayers money and a renovated exhibition hall that will increase city revenues. And the annual economic impact of Gaillard Center is projected to exceed $62 million.

Gaillard Center also includes the transformation of Gaillard Auditorium into the kind of theater in which any artist would be proud to perform and that any audience member would eagerly look forward to attending.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Construction costs are especially advantageous right now, so tens of millions of dollars can be saved by building now. And half the cost of Gaillard Center is going to be paid by private contributions, led by the generosity of an anonymous donor who strongly believes that the time to create Gaillard Center is now.

We have all seen recently the positive impact of first-rate performance facilities. Charlestonians look forward to going to events at the newly renovated Dock Street Theatre; and the revitalized Memminger Auditorium has attracted sell-out crowds. These beautiful venues have become destinations themselves.

Gaillard Auditorium, on the other hand, is rarely even half full. People say they don't want to go there. They find it big and impersonal, providing a poor audience experience. As a result, Spoleto has cut way back on its performances at the auditorium. And many people feel that the auditorium's inferior acoustics and facilities contributed to the Symphony's declining attendance.

The arts enrich our lives. They also enrich our economy. According to an independent analysis, the annual economic impact of Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto exceeds $85 million. Add in the symphony and the myriad of other Charleston arts organizations and events, and the economic impact is even more impressive. And that means more jobs and a stronger economy.

Charleston urgently needs the quality of performance facility that Gaillard Center will provide. Let's take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Nigel Redden

General Director

Spoleto Festival USA

George Street, Charleston