February Front Row News
THE LATEST
Paving the Way to Groundbreaking
Construction Cost Estimate Saves Millions
The Arts of Collin County Commission Board of Directors and Executive Director Mike Simpson invested months of strategic planning and discussion on the importance of timing to bid Phase 1 of the project, and in November, bid packages were sent to contractors. Simpson and Hunt Construction Group received 265 bids, and Hunt Executives stated it was the largest response to a bid they’d ever seen. The result: a savings of over $16 million in cost projections from March 2009.
“Based on everything we had seen in other capital bids, this was the absolute best time to go to bid,” stated Mike Simpson, Executive Director of the Arts of Collin County. “Our total estimated cost in late 2008 and early 2009 was projected in the $86 million range, and now the initial guaranteed maximum price has come in at $69.9 million – we are ecstatic,” continues Simpson. The final guaranteed maximum price will be presented by Hunt Construction Group on February 26.
“The Arts of Collin County still needs an estimated $5 million to break ground and we are finalizing a plan to make that happen,” states Mike Simpson. “We plan to break ground by April or May. The Arts of Collin County is now urging everyone to step forward and donate to this project.”
To read the whole story, click here.
North Texas Business and Arts Leaders Gather to Support Arts of Collin County
February 25, 2010 at the Westin Stonebriar
Supporting the arts is good business. Just ask North Texas based businesses; AT&T, Hall Office Park, The Westin Stonebriar, Mario Sinacola & Sons and Darling Homes about their experience in investing in the arts to enrich their business community, employees and legacy. The Arts of Collin County will host a two-part session, “Arts for the Arts” breakfast and “Business for the Arts” luncheon to spread this valuable message to other business and arts leaders in the area. Both events will be held February 25, 2010, at The Westin Stonebriar in Frisco.
The Arts for the Arts Breakfast will connect arts organizations from all over North Texas with the Arts of Collin County to facilitate a discussion on partnering to build a support network to promote the arts. Over 180 arts organizations have been invited to attend. The breakfast is generously underwritten by The Westin Stonebriar.
The Business for the Arts luncheon will feature keynote speakers Holly Reed, Regional Vice-President of External Affairs for AT&T, and Bernard Weinstein, Ph.D, Associate Director Maguire Energy Institute - Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. The business luncheon is sponsored by AT&T, Hall Office Park, The Westin Stonebriar, Mario Sinacola & Sons and Darling Homes, and businesses in the North Texas area are invited to attend.
For more information and to request and invitation, visit http://www.artsofcollincounty.org/rsvp or call (972) 335-3330.
DONOR NEWS
Rocking for the Arts
The Arts of Collin County thanks the Frisco seniors who spent the month of January competing in a Rock-A-Thon at the Frisco Senior Center benefitting the Arts of Collin County. With 12 seniors participating, the Frisco seniors raised $700.00! Rock-A-Thon organizer Lyn Chambers initiated the fundraiser as a competitive, yet helpful way for seniors to get involved with the Arts of Collin County fundraising efforts.
“A lot of seniors don’t have the opportunity to get involved with fundraising efforts, and the Rock-a-Thon gave Frisco seniors the opportunity to have fun while collectively helping the Arts of Collin County,” states Chambers.