DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Construction on De Pere’s Mulva Cultural Center is expected to start on August 2nd and it’s now expected to cost $95 million.
De Pere natives James and Miriam Mulva are funding the entire project at the southeast corner of the roundabout at the eastern side of the Claude Allouez Bridge. They provided updates to the city’s common council this week.
“This project is the single largest project that our family has ever undertaken and most likely will ever undertake,” said James Mulva, the retired chairman and CEO of Conoco Philips.
“We feel very strongly about De Pere. The project is really a giveback, a gift to the community of De Pere, greater Green Bay, and Northeastern Wisconsin.”
When FOX 11 first reported on the Mulva Cultural Center back in October of 2015, the expected price tag was between $7 million and $9 million, less than a tenth of what it is now.
“We think it’s all been worth it,” said Miriam Mulva. “The length of time that we’ve actually added to the project by waiting has really made it so much better.”
The cultural center will rotate world-class traveling exhibits that people previously would need to travel to see in places like Chicago and New York. The facility will also include classrooms, a restaurant, a 200-seat theatre, atrium, and gift shop.
Project leaders say upgrading to an LED screen in the theatre played into the most recent price increase.
“It’s unique type of design, I think it might be the first one in the Midwest area as well,” said Rick Bilotto of Premier Resources Group at Sizemore & Company, LLC.
Mortenson Construction, out of Milwaukee, is the builder. It’s the same company that built Lodge Kohler in the Titletown District.
“I think the only last thing we have to do is really pick out the landscaping and the furniture, so we’re really in great shape,” said Miriam Mulva.
The goal is to open in late spring or early summer of 2023.
The developers say well over 100,000 people could visit the cultural center each year. The center is expected to have an annual economic impact of $3.1 million.
Visit the Mulva Cultural Center website
