Gaillard Auditorium renovation/expansion design approval expected today

The final consideration by the Charleston Board of Architectural Review of the $142 million Gaillard Auditorium renovation and expansion is expected today.

The BAR is scheduled to meet today at 4:30 p.m., in its meeting room at 75 Calhoun St.

The agenda calls for final approval of requests for both the building improvements and the hardscaping for the area outside.

Two years ago this month, Mayor Joe Riley announced what would be the city of Charleston’s most expensive building project. Private donations are expected to cover half the cost, and the remaining $71 million would come from existing city revenue sources and new borrowing that would not impact taxes, he said.

The mayor contends renovating the Gaillard would cost substantially less than replacing it.

Local neighborhoods groups have questioned the size, location and impact of the project.

The bulk of the project cost, about $96 million, would go toward renovating the Gaillard performance space, a cavernous, 2,730-seat auditorium that would be scaled down to 1,800 seats.