Bradenton council backs continued talks on Point Park University partnership
By Lisa Neff
Could downtown Bradenton become a training ground for dancers, actors and filmmakers bound for Broadway, Hollywood and Orlando theme parks?
The Bradenton City Council, meeting Aug. 12 at city hall, voted 5-0 to continue exploring a partnership that could bring a private university to the downtown.
Talks — as well as site visits — have been ongoing between Bradenton officials and representatives from Pittsburgh’s Point Park University, known for its performing arts program.
On Aug. 12, city administrator Rob Perry and community redevelopment agency director Jeff Burton reviewed the university’s interest in Bradenton, outlined Bradenton’s interest in Point Park and asked for the council’s approval to continue talks.
“Point Park is a very broad-based educational institution. It’s founded and kind of primarily emphasized in fine arts education in Pittsburgh, and it’s a downtown, urban institution,” Perry told the council.
Point Park has operations in 11 downtown Pittsburgh buildings, offering more than 100 programs to serve more 3,700 students.
The university operates the Rowland School of Business, the School of Communication, the School of Arts and Science, the School of Education, the School of Dance and the School of Film, Theatre and Animation, plus several centers and 20 NCAA Division II sports teams.
Perry estimated the university’s economic impact in Pittsburgh at about $240 million a year and that dollar figure is projected to reach $486 million in 2030. The university draws about 80,000 visitors a year.
“It just becomes part of the fabric,” Bradenton Vice Mayor Jayne Kocher, Ward 1, said of the Pittsburgh campus, which she toured and found “wonderful old buildings” restored.
What if the Friendly City and the Steel City could build on their deep connections and, over the next three years, bring a Point Park presence to downtown Bradenton and its burgeoning Avenue of the Arts?
That’s what the exploratory talks are about.
“Pittsburgh and Bradenton already have a great relationship, so this is an exciting potential partnership,” Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor stated Aug. 12. “Point Park University plays a huge role in our downtown community and its revitalization, and this could be an opportunity for them to bring that same kind of energy to support Bradenton’s urban core.”
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said, “This discussion with Point Park University reflects an exciting opportunity to showcase the Bradenton area as a place where students can learn, create, and connect with industries that are important to our region.”
Early planning includes an emphasis on Point Park’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, but over time the university could offer additional academic programs.
“We are in the early stages of evaluating what a partnership in Bradenton could look like and how it may support the university’s long-term strategic vision,” Chris W. Brussalis, university president, said in a statement Aug. 12. “While the Conservatory of Performing Arts is a natural starting point for these conversations, the opportunity is much broader and could create new pathways for students across the university to learn, intern and build careers in a vibrant and evolving market.”
Bradenton’s council members expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to bring higher education into downtown, while raising questions and cautions about the negotiation process and financial commitments.
“It is actually, in fact, my desire to see it succeed that makes me just caution us to proceed with caution, do some due diligence,” said Councilwoman Lisa Gonzalez Moore, Ward 4.
An economic study is expected later this month.
Meanwhile, the university continues to work on Florida approval to operate.
The talks also involve Manatee County officials, including the tourist development council and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
