The Sarasota City Commission today will consider an agreement with the Van Wezel Foundation for the planning and construction of a new performing arts center on Sarasota Bay. The project will be the centerpiece of redevelopment for The Bay.

“The Foundation has begun to undertake the important steps forward in bringing the new performing arts center to life by assembling a global team of experts in preparation for executing the project,” reads a proposed partnership overview from the Van Wezel Foundation.

A new center will cost an estimated $300 million to $350 million, with the burden split 50%-50% between private and public sector funding. The City likely won’t be alone on the public side — the Florida Legislature approved state funding the past few years. There’s sources of tax revenue in the city including tax increment financing that will fund the massive effort to build a new structure.

Plans include a 200,000 square-foot venue with seating for 2,250, and yes, there will be a center aisle. There will also be another 400 potential seats allowed in flex space that would also be used for performances. Plans will also include multiple outdoor performance spaces, part of the generational effort to redevelop the Bayfront as a cultural public destination. Modern simulcast technologies will also be part of any plan.

The foundation intends to select an architect for the project this year and move aggressively toward a 2027 opening. At that point, the agreement on the agenda tonight will leave ownership of the hall in city hands but assign operations to the foundation.

“The Foundation will be responsible for the artistic and educational programming and facility management. The Foundation anticipates thousands of 25 of 30 new jobs will be created during the planning and construction, and in addition to retaining current Hall positions, additional jobs will be filled as SPAC will operate on a year-round basis with increased programming.”

There’s still decisions that will be left to the city. The need for 1,000 parking spaces to support the venue, for example, will be addressed by the city, which intends some surface parking and a certain number of spaces beneath the new arts venue.

The plan makes clear the existing Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will continue to operate in the future. But the city will need to pull together a blue-ribbon committee on the vulnerable structure.