ARCHITECTS VIE FOR MAEC MASTER PLAN DESIGN WORK

MERIDIAN, MS- The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center Board of Directors has started its search for the best design team to develop the master plan for the MAEC, a $55 million project to be located at Bonita Lakes. Qualifications and Experience statements were received by the deadline from nearly 20 design teams, whose principal architects represent more than 12 cities in the region and nation.

The Q&E statements submitted by the design teams hoping to be awarded the job will be evaluated by a committee named by the board of directors. Finalists will be invited to make oral presentations before the committee recommends its selection to the full board.

The scope of services for the project will include defining and setting square footages for the different venues at the center, doing preliminary surveys and analysis, developing a master plan, identifying environmental issues and developing a preliminary project budget.

The master plan will address such issues as parking, roads, utilities, structures, buffer zones and other site amenities. The design team will be charged with developing an aesthetically pleasing complex that preserves the pristine beauty of Bonita Lakes and celebrates the environment that has nurtured so many talented artists.

"The quality of the submissions by these architects and their teams is outstanding," said Paul Ott, president of the MAEC board. "Designers understand that the arts and entertainment center will be a unique and extraordinary place, and the level of interest clearly shows that these designers want to be a part of this project."

The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center will include a hall of fame for Mississippi artists of all disciplines, an outdoor amphitheatre, an artists-in-residence village, a concert hall and other support structures such as shops, restaurants and broadcasting facilities. The project will be the state's official venue to honor and celebrate the wealth of talent that Mississippi has produced.

	ARCHITECTS VIE FOR MAEC MASTER PLAN DESIGN WORK March 31, 2004 MERIDIAN, MS- The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center Board of Directors has started its search for the best design team to develop the master plan for the MAEC, a $55 million project to be located at Bonita Lakes. Qualifications and Experience statements were received by the deadline from nearly 20 design teams, whose principal architects represent more than 12 cities in the region and nation. The Q&E statements submitted by the design teams hoping to be awarded the job will be evaluated by a committee named by the board of directors. Finalists will be invited to make oral presentations before the committee recommends its selection to the full board. The scope of services for the project will include defining and setting square footages for the different venues at the center, doing preliminary surveys and analysis, developing a master plan, identifying environmental issues and developing a preliminary project budget. The master plan will address such issues as parking, roads, utilities, structures, buffer zones and other site amenities. The design team will be charged with developing an aesthetically pleasing complex that preserves the pristine beauty of Bonita Lakes and celebrates the environment that has nurtured so many talented artists. "The quality of the submissions by these architects and their teams is outstanding," said Paul Ott, president of the MAEC board. "Designers understand that the arts and entertainment center will be a unique and extraordinary place, and the level of interest clearly shows that these designers want to be a part of this project." The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center will include a hall of fame for Mississippi artists of all disciplines, an outdoor amphitheatre, an artists-in-residence village, a concert hall and other support structures such as shops, restaurants and broadcasting facilities. The project will be the state's official venue to honor and celebrate the wealth of talent that Mississippi has produced.