The Mayo Performing Arts Center at 100 South St. in Morristown — Courtesy: MPAC
By Joshua Burd
The acclaimed Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown is set to begin a major expansion and renovation after securing a $65 million tax credit award under a new state program.
According to the Economic Development Authority, which approved the subsidy this week, plans by the nonprofit South Street Theater Co. Inc. will include more than 31,000 square feet of new construction for an arts and education center and other spaces. That’s slated to break ground in April alongside updates to the existing facility and 1,300-seat theater at South and Pine streets — including a new parking garage — all of it aimed at enhancing learning opportunities, boosting production capabilities and increasing attendance to support growing demand.
Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP’s Chris Murphy, chair of the firm’s tax credits and incentives group, and Brendan Pytka, director of tax credits and incentives, represented MPAC in its application to the EDA. An Otteau Group Inc. team led by Christopher J. Otteau provided real estate valuation services for the project.
“We are thrilled to see the Mayo Performing Arts Center receive one of the first awards under the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion Program,” Pytka said. “This $65 million award will allow MPAC to embark on a comprehensive expansion and renovation, transforming an already renowned arts venue into a dynamic home for students of all backgrounds, a welcoming community hub and a destination for world-class performers.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire MPAC team, and our Tax Credits and Incentives group at Murphy Schiller & Wilkes is proud to have played a role.”
The EDA noted that the venue, which began as the South Street Theater, has served as a cultural institution in Morristown since its founding in 1994. It contributes more than $18 million annually to the local economy, according to estimates provided by the operator, drawing over 240,000 patrons annually with some 300 performances and 150 educational programs.
MPAC is also a provider of arts education, serving around 35,000 students each year, and recently expanded its Performing Arts School with South Street Studios to meet growing demand, the EDA said. Its next expansion is poised to further those efforts with components including:
- Roughly 31,185 gross square feet of new construction, including a new arts and education center, lobby and gallery spaces, artist spaces, patron spaces, studios, support spaces and vertical circulation
- Some 16,970 gross square feet of interior renovation to the existing MPAC production, education and office spaces
- Restoration of the 46,000-square-foot historic theater auditorium.
- Construction of a two-level, 40,130-square-foot parking garage providing 84 parking spaces exclusively for MPAC artists, staff, patrons, student’s caregivers/drivers and other visitors
- Utility and infrastructure upgrades including water, electric, sewer, storm sewer, stormwater and transportation systems, installation of renewable energy systems including solar panels and energy storage components, and landscaping
Provident Bank is providing a $55 million construction loan for the $65 million project, which is slated to take around 26 months and include $9.5 million in fundraising.
“Since it began as a single-screen movie theatre in 1937, to its current standing as one of the top 50 performing arts centers worldwide, MPAC has been at the heart of arts and entertainment in the North Jersey region,” said Allison Larena, CEO and president of the Mayo Performing Arts Center. “The awarding of $65 million in CAFE tax credits is a transformational opportunity for MPAC’s next phase in our evolution and further elevates Morristown as a premier arts destination in our state. We are deeply grateful to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for this extraordinary award.”
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty added: “Morristown’s arts community has always been a source of pride for our town. The expansion of the Mayo Performing Arts Center will build on that legacy, bringing more opportunities for creativity, education, and community. This investment will help keep Morristown a destination where the arts continue to thrive and strengthen our local economy.”
Highlights of the project will include six new studio spaces for the Performing Arts School, two of which can convert into a 150-seat auditorium-style theater, plus a new passenger elevator, stair towers and performer’s entrance, the EDA said. Plans also call for enhanced backstage areas for performers and artists and upgraded production facilities such as a larger freight elevator, an expanded loading bay, additional storage and new dressing rooms to allow MPAC to host larger and more complex productions.
Additionally, the venue plans to build a new Starlight Veranda overlooking Pine Street, offering an additional space for community gatherings, patron receptions and cabaret-style performances, the authority said, while upgrading to the entrance plaza and walk to the Starlight Lounge with an updated marquee and new pavers, walkway, steps and planters.
