Cost of Proposed Art Center Goes Up

The total public and private costs of the San Diego Art Center, the modern art museum proposed for downtown, could reach $10.5 million, $4.5 million more than originally estimated, according to figures presented Friday in the Centre City Development Corp. tentative 1987 budget. CCDC officials had originally estimated the cost at about $6 million in 1983, when plans for the center were announced.

Earlier this week, L.J. Cella, the newly named Art Center chief executive officer, said the art center staff estimated that the center’s share of the construction costs would be $7.5 million. However, that figure does include a $2.5-million loan CCDC plans to make to the art center.

CCDC director of finance Frank Alessio said the major added costs are for the $2.5-million loan, up from $1 million agreed to in 1985, and to acquire the Balboa Theater, where it will be located. CCDC officials have estimated they may have to pay the previous owners $1.7 million to $2.2 million to acquire the property through condemnation proceedings.