SOUTH BEND — The city on Wednesday officially awarded a $15.2 million bid for construction of a 20,000-square-foot addition to the Morris Performing Arts Center.
LaPorte-based Larson-Danielson Construction Company will soon begin roughly a year and a half of work on the Raclin Murphy Encore Center, a new building between the Morris and the LaSalle Hotel that will serve as additional lobby space and a hub for local arts programming. South Bend's Board of Public Works unanimously approved the contract Wednesday.
Patrick Sherman, a city project engineer, said the existing lobby will connect to the new center, where patrons will find much larger restrooms and all of the concessions during shows. Aside from more space, Sherman said, the Encore Center will support an initiative to expand access to the arts and may be used to host special events and weddings.
Sherman said construction is to begin this month and finish within 16-18 months, near the end of 2025. The Morris will host shows throughout the construction period.
South Bend announced its campaign to revamp the city-owned theater in 2021, in honor of the Morris' 100th anniversary the next year. Roughly $9 million of interior repairs, including wider seats with cupholders and refined LED lighting, were finished in 2022.
A parking garage of 300-350 spaces won't be part of this phase as initially planned. A city spokeswoman said a garage is still possible as part of future improvements.
The South Bend Common Council allotted $9 million to the new building this April. The city expects that money to be recouped by a new law passed last year allowing professional sports and event venues, like the Morris and Four Winds Field, to retain more local tax revenue, a spokeswoman said.
The rest of the construction money comes from a $1.5 million state economic development grant and private donations — namely a $5 million gift from Ernestine Raclin, Carmen and Chris Murphy, and the Carmichael Foundation.
The Morris 100 Campaign has raised $27 million of its $30 million donations goal, according to its website. That money would also pay for a third phase to remake the Jon R. Hunt Memorial Plaza outside of the theater, adding new fountains and an enhanced venue for outdoor performances.
Contact South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09
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