2-6 spring break session throughCCS at PARCwill feature dig-
ital animation, drawing, and fashiondesign and sewing.
Grieger is also pleased with community support, noting
that fundraising has just begun. She pointed to the joint city-
township surveywhich showed community support.
“I think Don is very pleased with his progress,” Grieger
said. “We do have some commitments.”
Soenen cited Plymouth Township growth, including the
Five Mile corridor. “We've had a major growth of businesses
coming to our community. They look for these amenities. I
think this'dbe a huge asset,” he said.
He said the purchase, extensive infrastructure work, and
renovation/preservation will cost about $15 million. Soenen
wonders about greater Plymouth in 10-15 years, as the inter-
net greatly impacts retailing.
“I think we have a unique opportunity to make Plymouth a
focal point for the arts. We are right at the heart of that,” he
said. Good freeway access, restaurants, local and regional arts
organizations “really give us an opportunity to develop
Plymouth into an arts community. It will make this community
more attractive. It will increase the quality of life.”
He cites spending at restaurants and other businesses.
PARChas some 27 tenants nowand is almost at capacity.
Soenen said 800 seats is optimal for the performing arts
center, and there will be about 800 parking spaces. “Parking
shouldnot be an issue,” he said.
The 16.6-acre site is near the Miracle League and
Plymouth Cultural Center, which has an ice rink. “It really
becomes almost a campus setting with the Miracle League,
the Cultural Center,” Soenen said. There are many uses, “all
in one location. That's just unheard of in a downtown commu-
nity.”
“The theater is not that expensive. The operating costs for
the theater are not that onerous,” said Soenen. “They do say
all bets are off if we don't have the theater,” he added of an
independent business analysis done on the project.
“I think we're in a good position” with minimal opposition
toPARC, he said.
Plymouth Ice Festival
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PARC
from page 12
We've had a major growth
of businesses coming to our community.
They look for these amenities.
I think this'd be a huge asset.
”
