While construction on Tufts' new music building was initially expected to commence at the end of this semester, groundbreaking on the 35,000-square foot building has been delayed until the University secures more funding for the project. Recent donations as high as six or seven figures made for the building will be announced at this weekend's Trustee meeting.
"Recent pledges for Tufts' new music center bring it quite close to the critical mass necessary to break ground," Senior Director of Fundraising and Development Gary Lowe told the Daily yesterday.
Vice President of Operations John Roberto said that the Office of Development is making significant fundraising progress. "I believe that in a short period of time we will be resuming planning of the building," Roberto said.
Last September, administrators were confident that Development would reach its fundraising goal for the building by October. The goal proved more difficult than expected due largely to a struggling economy, and the original estimate of $8 million for the project rose to above $20 million.
"Obviously the market is influential," Lowe said. "But there's no bad time to raise money."
Roberto says the groundbreaking depends on the cooperation of many different people and that its commencement is simply a matter of time. In order to complete the project, the Zeta Psi fraternity currently housed on the building's future site must be relocated, the architect and construction company must be ready, and all Somerville zoning regulations must be agreed upon. None of this can begin until the funds are secure.
"We have not been actively proceeding with the plans," Roberto said.
The building will follow the phased construction plan that has emerged over the last year. During Phase I, the shell of the facility will be built, but only the concert hall will be finished. Phase II will entail the construction of classroom and practice spaces, though these spaces will require additional funds.
"The completion of the plans awaits further fundraising achievement so we are closer to having all the funds in hand prior to proceeding with the project." Roberto said.
In collaboration with an outside architect, a four-member faculty committee has narrowed its building options to six or seven blueprints.
Roberto said the timeline has always been subject to change based on fundraising achievement, and he remains confident that a music building will be a reality in the coming years. "This is very high on the president's priority list," Roberto said.
Planning for the facility began two years ago after the University received $4 million from an unnamed donor for the construction of a centrally located music building.
