NEW BEDFORD — There was a party on Purchase Street on Friday beneath a tent filled with people in a mood to celebrate.
A banner swinging gently in the breeze encapsulated the reason for the celebration — and brass band:
Built in 1923Reimagined in 2024Creating a performance arts center for the next century
And while it's not exactly the finish line, the tape is clearly visible in this marathon that began in 2018.
That's when the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center's staff and board members began to envision what a fundraising campaign could do for the theater to improve the patron experience.
Vision leads to $37 million restoration
Their vision has culminated in the $37 million construction project to revitalize the landmark structure at 684 Purchase St., which began its life as a vaudeville house 101 years ago.
Construction is now underway and is expected to take 14 to 18 months to complete. Colantonio Inc. is the general contractor and Wilson Butler Architects designed the restoration and renovation plan.
The result will be a restoration of the venerable theater's historic beauty supplemented with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and patron amenities.
Building last renovated 41 years ago
Deborah Baker, co-chair of the Zeiterion Capital Campaign Committee, and her late husband, Ben, were among those who supported that vision.
Deborah and Ben were also among those who helped prevent the theater — the former State Theater — from becoming just a fond memory when it was last renovated 41 years ago.
She told those gathered under the tent Friday to celebrate the groundbreaking, or wallbreaking in this case, "Ben and I proudly invested in that vision, making it possible for the team to do the early planning and feasibility necessary for a capital campaign, an improvement project so that the Z could look to the future and serve the next generations of performing artists."
Paragons:Bakers honored by 'Z' for decades of involvement, support
A 'wildly complex project'
Rosemary Gill, Zeiterion president and CEO, who has spearheaded "this wildly complex project," hosted the event Friday.
She promised at the outset "to do my very best not to cry," and didn't quite make it. But she had many more smiles than tears.
Gill said, "Our vision to improve patron experience flourished into the project we embarked on - to transform a 100-year-old theater into a stunning, state-of-the-art building in a community living room bustling with activity and welcoming to all."
A rousing standing ovation for Rosemary
Her efforts were acknowledged with a rousing standing ovation midway during the event.
Gill said, "Today we begin a new chapter for the Zeiterion. This day has been a long time coming. There have been many, many hurdles along the way but we persevered."
The funding stack they erected includes federal and state tax credits, municipal and state funding and $10 million in private donations.
The state has provided $7 million in funding, beginning with $3 million under the Baker Administration, said state Rep. Tony Cabral, D-New Bedford.
En route:The Zeiterion is planning a multimillion dollar renovation. Here's what it will look like
'One hell of an investment'
Mayor Jon Mitchell said the city had put $7.6 million into the project, from American Rescue Plan Act, Community Preservation Act, and Community Development Block Grant funds, as well as the city general fund. The building is owned by the city and leased to the nonprofit.
Mitchell added, "From the city's standpoint, this is one hell of an investment. You don't need an economic impact study to know that this place has a huge beneficial effect on the city, greater New Bedford and especially the downtown."
And there have been such economic studies.
En route:New Bedford City Council committee OKs 99-year Zeiterion lease to support renovation
Economic impact includes jobs, spending
Joseph Nauman, co-chair of the Zeiterion Capital Campaign Committee, said that spending by the Z, and resident companies New Bedford Festival Theatre and New Bedford Symphony Orchestra - combined with visitor spending - supported 338 jobs, and generated 10.2 million in annual economic impact.
The new Z's amenities will "amplify" that impact, adding 14 new Z jobs and an additional $1.6 million in annual economic impact.
The construction process will involve hundreds of jobs, and $43 million in economic impact, Nauman said.
Still a short way to go in fundraising
There's still a short way to go in fundraising, he added. They've got over $32 million of the $37 million needed in the bank.
"That is close to 90% of what we need. We do have a final push, and we will get that done," he said.
En route:The Z celebrates its 40-year history — and its future with $24 million renovation project
Passion needed to fulfill vision
State Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, said the successful Z project required vision — and a lot of money.
"But it also takes passion," he said.
Traveling to almost 100 countries over the years, has convinced Montigny that the New Bedford community "really is unique."
And the passion of its residents, both those natives of generations standing or more recent arrivals, has helped make this project possible.
Cabral added as the festivities were in full swing. "If you think this is a party, imagine what it's going to be like when we open the doors again."
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