Construction is set to start this week on a $48 million dollar arts facility on the Central Coast.
The concept of an arts complex for Santa Maria's Allan Hancock College has been talked about for decades. The college's programs are currently spread out in a half dozen buildings.
The two story, 88,000 square foot facility will house classrooms, and other spaces for drama, film, graphics, music, photography, multimedia arts, and communications programs. It will include a 400 seat auditorium specifically designed for music performances.
The Fine Arts Complex will consolidate all of the of the college's arts programs except for performing arts in one building.
The project is funded with voter approved bond money, as well as the estate of former faculty member Patricia Boyd. Plans call for the complex to be complete and ready for use in the fall of 2022.