Red Mountain Theatre Company to create $25 million arts campus in Parkside
Red Mountain Theatre Company announced plans today, Wednesday, May 15, to create a new $25 million arts campus in the Parkside District beginning this summer.
The new facility will be located at 1600 Third Ave. S, according to Keith Cromwell, RMTC executive director.
The Tony Award-winning RMTC has long wanted to create such a facility, according to Cromwell, who said the company closed on the new property today.
“It has been a dream for us to consolidate our programming in order to better serve our community,” he said. “We envision an arts campus where artists can create, students can develop life – and theatre – skills, and where for profit and nonprofit can drive economic growth together.”
Construction should start this summer and be finished by summer 2021.
The RMTC is looking to host its 2021-2022 season at the new facility, said Drew Francis, creative and marketing director of the RMTC, in an email today to Iron City Ink.
The search for the right spot has taken about 16 years and 19 possible venues, Cromwell said in a video announcement that accompanied a news release.
“When going through the budget for what it would take to convert over a 100-year-old building, it didn’t become fiscally responsible for us to do so,” Francis said. “We really value our donors so we started to look at what else was out there that would put everything on the same campus.”
The new location near Regions Field in the bustling Parkside area is perfect for the company, according to Board President Kathryn Harbert.
“RMTC is right at the heart of our city, and this space will allow us to be more efficient and more effective in our mission of enriching, educating and engaging our community,” she said in the release.
Architectural design is well underway for the arts campus, which will include rehearsal and classroom spaces, a 400-seat theatre and administrative and shop offices.
LIVE Design Group, which specializes in worship, theatre and academic facilities, will serve as architects. Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor, and Harbert Realty Services will manage the project
The RMTC is marking its 40th anniversary, according to Cromwell. It began in 1979 as Summerfest Musical Theatre. In addition to theatre productions, RMTC offers educational programs for young people and theatre professionals.
5-15-19 4:25 p.m.: This story was updated with more information. We also made one correction. We previously stated, incorrectly, that the RMTC plans to host its 2020-2021 season at the new facility.