The project, slated for completion in 2020, is expected to house a 500-seat auditorium, parking deck, a common area for meetings and networking functions and classrooms for Georgia Gwinnett College’s fine arts program while preserving and utilizing the existing theatre facilities.
“Lawrenceville’s vision is to combine its greatest strengths in arts and education to create a vibrant and active downtown and county seat for Gwinnett,” said Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson. “Through strategic property acquisition, SPLOST planning with the County and collaboration with our partners at both Aurora Theatre and Georgia Gwinnett College, our desire is to become a destination for tourists, a strong activity center for our residents and Gwinnett’s first – and different – college town. We are glad to be working with Croft and Associates and look forward to getting this project underway.”
The City recently acquired property for the project through the Downtown Development Authority of Lawrenceville Georgia (DDA). Properties acquired include the Peach State Federal Credit Union parcel as well as the empty space adjacent to the existing theatre building. Aurora Theatre will work with the City to assist in design consulting for theatrical performances as well as management and operation of the facility once built.
“We are proud to be part of a community that prioritizes the arts as a crucial factor in Lawrenceville’s growth,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Aurora Theatre. “The City is a tremendous partner for the arts and their firm belief that expanding our facility into an arts campus will foster arts growth for all of Gwinnett County makes a bold statement and conveys the importance of the arts as an engine for economic development. We are thrilled to partner on this innovative project and look forward to what lies ahead as Croft works with all of us to realize this vision.”
Georgia Gwinnett College already maintains a strong relationship with Aurora Theatre when it comes to student programming. This facility – complete with classrooms for the College’s fine arts programs – will assist with the growth of those existing relationships and create Gwinnett’s first-ever “college town” right in the heart of the County.
Stas Preczewski, President of Georgia Gwinnett College shared, “Town and gown relations are important to communities where colleges live and thrive. Our relationship with the City of Lawrenceville is exceptional and they have been at our side every step of the way since we opened our doors in 2006 with less than 150 ‘educational pioneers’. We look forward to the cultural opportunities the new Aurora Theatre will give to the 13,000 students, faculty and staff of Georgia Gwinnett College. We are fortunate to be a part of the Lawrenceville community and all that it has to offer.”
Once the contract with Croft and Associates is finalized, first steps will include collaboration with contractors on design concepts. An estimated budget of nearly $30 million dollars will come from 2017 SPLOST funds as well as potential capital campaigns on behalf of private and non-profit partners in the project.
For more information on the City of Lawrenceville and its vision, please visit www.lawrencevillega.org.
