WTC performing arts center moves forward

The Frank Gehry-designed performing arts center planned for the World Trade Center could take a major step today. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. is slated to give the operational organization, dubbed the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center, a total of $1 million for staff hires and plans for building development. Organization Director Maggie Boepple told the Journal that the approval of the performing arts center would put the complex on track for a 2017 completion.

The plan for the center, with 1,000- and 200-seat theaters, has been in the works for years. It and would also contains spaces for rehearsing and a restaurant that would serve a double as an additional performance venue.

But recently, the fate of the center was in limbo — not only due to its estimated $450 million construction costs, but also due to an inability to bring on staff members and consultants. There was a worry among performing arts center officials that the development corporation would hold back its $155 million in pledged seed money. However, the plans have been scaled back in terms of size and construction costs. [WSJ] —Zachary Kussin