9 Investigates: Price of Phase 2 of Dr. Phillips Center much higher than original estimate

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts officials are set to break ground on Phase 2 of the project.

Phase 2, Steinmetz Hall, will be a mirror image of Phase 1 of the project from the outside.

9 Investigates found out the price of Phase 2 jumped by more than 25 percent from its original estimates, and center leaders are still $14.7 million short of the fundraising goal to complete the project.

Steinmetz Hall will host hometown performers, including the Orlando Ballet, Orlando Opera and Orlando Philharmonic. Giving local artists a space of their own will take $168,212,787 in tax money, which equates to 70 percent of the entire $237 million cost for Phase 2.

A large portion of that money comes from tourism development tax, also known as ‘bed tax,’ which is collected when hotel rooms are booked in Orange County. Commissioners agreed to provide an additional $45 million in tourism development tax funding last November, bringing the total to $143,212,787 in tourism development tax funding for Phase 2.

Orlando leaders also just agreed to provide $10 million in contingency funding for construction, which includes $5 million from the Downtown CRA.

The State of Florida will kick in $14 million.  An inter-local agreement from the City of Winter Park will provide $100,000 per year for 10 years, which will amount to $1 million in funding for Phase 2.

After all that, center leaders still need to raise $14.7 million in philanthropy before the project can come to fruition.

Center officials said the increases were due to competitive construction projects on Interstate 4 and the Orlando International Airport, among others.

Cox Media Group