Carmel arts center coming into focus

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - Developers will say that part of attracting new business depends on a city's quality of life. The city of Carmel believes its biggest attraction is under construction in the center of its growing downtown.

Right now, with the bare concrete walls outside and all the scaffolding inside, it may be hard to see the Carmel Performing Arts Center the way Mayor Jim Brainard does. But the mayor has had years to imagine the impact of the center.

"It's very specific in what it can do and it's designed so that the audience can really enjoy and experience the music the way it's meant to sound," said Brainard.

That means people on stage won't need microphones to be heard.

Construction Manager Mike Anderson said, "Hopefully I'm close to right, that, when we're done and we're sitting here in the hall and nobody's talking, you'll be able to hear your heart beat."

Mayor Brainard said such sound quality will attract performers who currently overlook Central Indiana. He uses a similar argument to support the construction.

"It will bring all sorts of business to this area that otherwise would not come," said Brainard.

And, Brainard said the project is on-budget and business -- not homeowners -- is paying for the $118 million building.

"There are no residential tax dollars going into our concert hall or theater. It's all being paid from the increase in business taxes from the businesses that have chosen to locate here since the start of the project," said Brainard.

Its first show is planned for October of 2010.

Anderson said when it opens up it'll probably be one of the top five or 10 performance halls in the world.