By STEVEN VIERA
Staff Writer
RED BANK — As its 90th birthday approaches later this year, the Count Basie Theatre will be celebrating with a bit of a growth spurt.
The Zoning Board of Variance unanimously approved a request by Count Basie Theatre to add nearly 42,000 square feet onto the existing structure so the theater can improve its backstage facilities, offer additional seating and more.
Count Basie’s President and CEO Adam Philipson explained to the board, that even though the theater draws strong crowds and high-caliber performances, the proposed expansion would be critical to ensuring the theater’s continued success and survival in New Jersey’s competitive arts climate.
“Although we are above average in our attendance, if we do not respond to expectations of artists and the demographics of our customers and the modern definition of a world-class facility, we will lose the stronghold that everyone has grown accustomed to and which the Red Bank community has come to rely on,” he said.
According to Architect Stephen Aluotto, only 20,535 square feet of this expansion will be a “footprint,” or require the breaking of new ground, as the remaining square feet will come from upper floors, such as a second story on the east side as well as second and third floors on the west side.
The new spaces will feature an expanded lobby, a second performance venue, a roof deck and “back of house” spaces like dressing rooms, green rooms and so on. Aluotto said the expansion would lead to the installation of three new elevators and a tripling in the amount of bathrooms at the theater.
Traffic and Transportation Consultant John Rea testified that the expansion would lead to demand for 130 additional parking spaces, but based on a series of parking counts he conducted, there should be enough spaces available in public lots and garages to meet that demand. After some discussion with the board, Philipson said Count Basie’s website would be updated to inform patrons of parking available in these lots.
During his testimony, Philipson said the theater contributes an estimated $17 million annually to Red Bank’s economy, and the expansion might raise that figure as high as $24 million. However, he also pointed out that some of Count Basie’s contributions do not come with a price tag.
“We make our area thrive, and we affect the quality of lives,” he said.