Tulsa Performing Arts Center presents 10-year master plan that could add new theater, restaurants and 1,400-seat hall

The Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust presented a multi-phase facilities master plan to the Tulsa City Council on Feb. 20 that uses $79.7 million in IOT 3 funds for renovations and seeks private fundraising to add a West Side expansion and a new 1,400-seat theater on the PAC’s surface parking lot.

The plan’s proponents said the IOT 3 funding would address deferred maintenance and back-of-house upgrades, and private gifts would fund an approximately $46.6 million West Side expansion and an estimated $110 million new theater on the east parking lot. Mark Frye, CEO of the PAC, told councilors the full vision could transform the PAC’s operations and economic impact but would require long closures and careful sequencing.

Why it matters: Trust leaders said the renovation work is needed for safety, accessibility and mechanical systems, and that the expansion would increase restrooms, dining space and unified access while the new theater would allow larger-scale productions and resident companies more rehearsal and performance time. Councilors and PAC trustees discussed potential downtown economic impacts and fundraising support.

Most of the IOT 3 funds would pay for renovation work including a covered loading dock expansion, new dressing rooms, a backstage passenger elevator, HVAC and mechanical system repairs, and reconfigured orchestra seating in Chapman Music Hall to add aisles and improve egress. Frye said those core renovation projects are estimated to require 30 to 36 months of construction and likely a full temporary shutdown of the existing facility while work proceeds.

The trust described a West Side expansion — roughly 60,000 square feet toward Williams Green — that would provide a full-service restaurant, bar and 50 additional restroom stalls and would be funded by private fundraising. The board said it is confident it can raise roughly $46.6 million for that expansion if the council and city provide the necessary support.

Beyond that, the trust described a proposed new 1,400-seat theater on the PAC’s east surface parking lot with an estimated cost of about $110 million. The trust said that structure would include under-building parking to preserve City Hall parking and would be connected to the West Side expansion by a covered skybridge.

Trust leaders estimated current PAC annual economic impact at about $60 million and projected that with the full expansion and new theater the annual impact could grow to about $180 million. The trust said the PAC now hosts more than 900 events and more than 300,000 attendees annually and supports roughly 400 jobs a year.

Council discussion focused on sequencing, funding, and mitigation of downtown impacts during any PAC closure. Several councilors asked whether building the new theater first would allow resident arts groups to continue operations; Frye said building the new theater first would be preferable but would substantially change the financing approach. The trust also proposed a temporary option — a fully equipped, weather-rated “theater tent” for up to 1,400 seats — to allow some performances during renovation, at an estimated rental cost of roughly $2.5 million per year (about $7.5 million for a 36-month shutdown). Frye cautioned that such a tent would not fully meet Broadway-scale rigging needs and could still result in substantial revenue loss.

Multiple councilors said a council resolution of support would help the trust in private fundraising. Several asked the trust to bring additional scenario analyses showing economic impacts, parking loss and alternatives to reduce the length of a full shutdown. Frye said the trust would hold an advisory/board retreat in April and would form a capital campaign cabinet as a next step.

The PAC trustees requested the city’s formal support in fundraising conversations and said they will return with additional financial scenarios and details about scheduling, sequencing, and mitigation steps.

The council did not take a formal vote on funding or approvals during the Feb. 20 presentation.

The trust asked the council to consider a council resolution of support before its April retreat so trustees can cite municipal backing during private fundraising.