Mosaic Youth Theatre has acquired a historic 40,000-square-foot building on Second Avenue in New Center, the former location of WTVS and WJBK. The plan is to renovate it as a permanent home for the program and a center dedicated to youth excellence with offices, studio and rehearsal space and a 180-seat black box theater. Mosaic is currently in discussions with several other organizations to partner in occupying the building. "This is really going to allow us to expand our programming," says Rick Sperling, Mosaic's founder. "This is going to change us from being a program to, really, an anchor organization for Detroit."
Mosaic is the only Detroit organization, out of 100 nationwide, to win the $25,000 Chase Community Giving "you decide what matters" Facebook campaign. Each of the selected organizations now advance to Round Two, where one organization will receive $1 million and the five runners-up will be given $100,000 each. For Round Two, participating organizations were asked to submit a "Big Idea" explaining how they would put the funds to use in service of the community; Mosaic's is the building renovation. Voting runs from January 15 to 22.
The building is located at 7441 Second Ave. Mosaic is working with Zachary and Associates to put together the package of state and federal historic, brownfield and New Market tax credits that will offset the overall cost of renovation.
A link to vote for Mosaic will be online beginning Jan. 15.
Source: Ricks Sperling, Mosaic Youth Theatre
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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