Industry Noize: Boettcher Pushes Pause

The 2,600-seat venue, part of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, opened in 1978 and is the home of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

The CSO already plans to move out, at least temporarily, at the end of the 2014-15 concert season to accommodate the upgrade. But, according to the Denver Post, a series of emails between the orchestra and the city’s Arts & Venues department suggest that demolition of the Boettcher is the “leading idea” now.

“I do believe that it’s likely the best option – given the money we have to spend versus what needs to be done to properly renovate the hall,” A&V director Rice wrote, according to emails obtained by the Post.

However, the CSO issued a statement dismissing the suggestion. A spokesman for Boettcher told Pollstar the city simply “pushed the pause button” on plans for the venue, and categorized the report as “premature.”

Boettcher received a distribution of $16.8 million when a $60 million taxpayer-funded bond was distributed to city-owned cultural institutions when CSO failed to come up with a required additional $30 million, the spokesman said.

The venue determined that needed mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades would eat up two-thirds of the bond cash, and the total is insufficient for a major upgrade of a 40-year-old building.

At the same time, DPAC is said to be considering a complete “re-imagining” to better serve the surrounding central neighborhood, which is becoming a magnet for young professionals.

The city does appear to have a wealth of similar venues in its performing arts complex, including the Buell Theatre and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, but has made it known it would like to add an outdoor venue downtown.

The Boettcher is too large for the CSO, which fills it about halfway most nights, according to the Post. Yet, demolition would leave the orchestra without a home. It reportedly draws about 150,000 patrons to some 90 performances a year.

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