The NTC Foundation is slated to receive the largest grant in its history to kick-start renovation of the long-empty Building 178 in Liberty Station into a major performing arts center. The $9 million in one-time catalyst funds is included in the state’s 2019-2020 budget, which was approved last week by the State Assembly and Senate, and will be funded through the California Arts Council. The budget still has to be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. State Senate President Pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins and State Assemblymember Todd Gloria announced the grant allocation at an event in Balboa Park on June 14. “We are grateful beyond words to Assemblymember Gloria, who requested the funds in a March 28 letter to the Committee on Budget, and to Senate President Atkins, who made it one of her budget priorities,” said NTC Foundation CEO Lisa Johnson. “This truly was a team effort and a major win.” “Performing arts has been a cornerstone of our vision for the Arts District Liberty Station from the beginning,” she added. The Arts District includes 26 historic buildings comprising San Diego’s largest arts and culture destination. The NTC Foundation oversees renovation, leasing operations and maintenance of the buildings. The foundation will supplement the state funds for Building 178 with philanthropic support to complete the project. “This is great news for San Diego’s arts-and-culture community,” said Gloria. “The grant will allow the Foundation to begin planning, design and remediation work to take an old, dilapidated building and turn it into a world-class performing arts center.” Atkins noted that the state budget includes significant investment in arts and culture, including this and grant allocations to two projects in Balboa Park announced at the same event. “It is an investment in the region’s future, an investment that will benefit residents and visitors alike, and bring even more dollars to the region.” And looking ahead, NTC Foundation executive director Alan Ziter noted that, “We hope to have another major announcement in the next few months.”