Construction on Lawrenceville arts continues despite pandemic

Lawrenceville’s $31 million Performing Arts Center, that includes the soon-to-be expanded home of the Aurora Theatre, is beginning to take shape in downtown. (Courtesy Aurora Theatre)

Lawrenceville’s $31 million Performing Arts Center, that includes the soon-to-be expanded home of the Aurora Theatre, is beginning to take shape in downtown. (Courtesy Aurora Theatre)

Lawrenceville’s $31 million Performing Arts Center, that includes the soon-to-be expanded home of the Aurora Theatre, is beginning to take shape. Construction and expansion of the facility in downtown Lawrenceville began in June 2019 and is continuing to provide jobs for those deemed essential workers during the pandemic.

The new 55,000 square-foot space will house a 525-seat theater, cabaret, indoor and outdoor civic spaces, and rooms for office and educational programming partnered with the Aurora Theatre and Georgia Gwinnett College.

“We are grateful that the construction on the campus expansion never stopped, creating jobs and bringing hope for the future of our county,” said Ann-Carol Pence, Co-Founder of Aurora Theatre. “I sincerely hope this innovative partnership between our non-profit organization and the City of Lawrenceville will serve as a model for other cities across the nation. This city understands that we must invest in the foundation of the arts together, so that the arts truly serve the community in ways that inspire, educate and heal our people.”

Working with local officials, plans for the LPAC were designed to retain and complement the nearby architecture of the historic square in downtown Lawrenceville. Construction is scheduled for completion in spring 2021.