University of Michigan's Power Center to get a $1.5M upgrade
One of University of Michigan's largest and most-used entertainment venues will be getting a $1.5 million renovation soon.
U-M photo
The Power Center hasn't had a major improvement since it was built in 1971, said U-M Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow.
"It will feel very new," Slottow said during a public board meeting on Thursday held at U-M's Dearborn campus. Slottow expects the project to be completed in spring 2015. The 45,100-square-foot Power Center has nearly 1,370 seats and is home to music, dance and theater performances sponsored by the University of Michigan, University Musical Society and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Liz
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 9:41 p.m.
The Power Center is one of the least attractive, least comfortable, and least conducive to the performing arts experience of it's kind. I know that is heretical to say in UofM territory, but the emperor has no clothes!
Halter
Sat, May 18, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.
So so glad to see they are going to do some fixups-- the entire facility is outdated, though...and its the reason all the major show tours and concert tours bypass Ann Arbor and head to Wharton Center at MSU...
rm1
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.
Mr.Slottow "expects the project to be completed in spring 2015", two years from now, but when will it begin? And for how long, if at all, will performances be preempted by the updating project? This is a much smaller project than the Hill Auditorium update of several tears ago, which darkened the hall for a year (and more?).
jon67
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 3:47 p.m.
"The main lobby will be repainted" I don't understand this at all .....the lobby walls of Power are either glass or exposed raw concrete, consistent with the exterior and general architectural character of the building. The concrete has never been painted and never should be.
jon67
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
Yes, the ceiling is painted, as are the six steel box beams supporting the ceiling/roof. I suppose that's it. There are no pillars of any type in the lobby.
Kellie Woodhouse
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 4:03 p.m.
There are parts of the lobby that are painted. (I think the pillars and parts of the ceiling?) Both the memo to regents and Tim Slottow on Thursday said lobby repainting will be part of the project...
Jeff Gaynor
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.
Parallel headlines - and comments Ann Arbor School board preserves $5,000 in food costs. Comments: people complain of waste Power Center to get a $1.5M upgrade. Comments: let's see.
A2comments
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 10:38 a.m.
Add more bathrooms!
Nicholas Urfe
Fri, May 17, 2013 : 1:14 p.m.
It's a concert venue. Plan your fluid intake accordingly.