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Perpich Center seeks roof, HVAC and loading-dock repairs; governor recommends $1.5 million
Summary
Interim executive director Allegra Smisek asked the committee to fund urgent repairs at the Perpich Center for Arts Education, including roof replacements and HVAC modernization; the center requested $4 million and the governor recommended $1.5 million for the biennium.
Interim Executive Director Allegra Smisek told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 that the Perpich Center for Arts Education needs capital repairs to continue statewide arts programming and professional development for K‑12 educators.
Smisek said Perpich serves students and teachers across the state and has a small residential arts high school as well as professional development and a statewide resources library. The center requested $4 million in asset preservation funds for the 2025 biennium; the governor recommended $1.5 million. Smisek said the board and staff prioritized three urgent projects covered by the governor’s recommendation: roof replacement and exterior repairs to the Gaia building, drainage mitigation and resurfacing of the loading dock, and replacement of the facility’s aging automation/energy management system.
Perpich staff noted that initial cost estimates for roof work have increased since the center received a 2023 appropriation and that combining roof and HVAC work is the most cost‑effective long‑term solution. Smisek provided committee members with district‑level summaries showing Perpich’s programming reach across legislators’ districts.
No formal committee vote occurred; senators asked follow-up questions about project timing, prior 2023 funding and the condition of exterior precast concrete panels.
