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Perpich Center for Arts Education seeks $4 million in asset preservation; governor recommends $1.5 million
Summary
Interim Perpich executive director asked the committee for asset preservation funds to repair roofs, drainage and update an energy management system at the arts education center; the center requested $4 million and the governor recommended $1.5 million for the biennium.
Leaders from the Perpich Center for Arts Education told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 they are seeking capital funding to repair the Gaia Building roof, fix drainage and loading‑dock surfaces, and replace an outdated building automation system.
Allegra Smiszek, interim executive director, said Perpich serves 153 eleventh‑ and twelfth‑grade arts students from across Minnesota and operates professional development programs and a statewide resource library for arts educators. She told the committee the Gaia Building’s roof replacement and failing precast exterior concrete panels are urgent and that pairing an HVAC upgrade with the roof work is the most cost‑effective approach.
Perpich requested $4,000,000 in asset preservation funds to address roughly half of its identified needs; Smiszek said the governor recommended $1,500,000 for the biennium. The center previously received $891,000 in 2023 toward a roof replacement but told senators that cost estimates have since increased; Perpich representatives said an additional $826,000 appears on their materials as needed beyond the prior appropriation.
Committee members asked about prior awards and the condition of precast exterior panels; Perpich staff said the panels show significant cracking and that delaying repairs increases risk. The center said replacing the aging automation system would improve energy efficiency and long‑term operating costs.
Perpich leaders asked lawmakers to prioritize the center’s asset preservation work to keep statewide professional development and arts programming operating safely and efficiently.
