Bedford officials aren’t giving up on plans to build a performing arts center, but rising construction costs mean they will consider options like private-public partnerships to help pay for the project.

During a special meeting on Tuesday, council members decided to scrap plans to build a performing arts center on property between the Old Bedford School and the library after estimates increased from $10 million to approximately $15 million.

Gary Johnson, projects manager for the city, told council members that other costs meant the amount for the performing arts center would increase to approximately $15 million.

Construction costs have increased by 36% since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Plans for a performing arts center date to 2017 when voters approved a $70 million bond package to renovate the former Boys Ranch Park. The council decided to set aside $5.5 million for the performing arts center because residents said at the time that the arts are important to the economic growth of Bedford.

“For me, this project has been years and years in the making from the 2017 bond that people voted on. No one could have anticipated COVID with inflation, so costs increased exponentially,” Mayor Dan Cogan said during Tuesday’s meeting. “People ask is there a need. Absolutely there is.”

During the next several months, city staff will meet with businesses and developers to discuss possible locations and plans for a performing arts center.

City manager Jimmy Stathatos will present information in March.

Bedford has $5.5 million from the 2017 bond and American Rescue Plan Act dollars that can be used for the performing arts project.

Council member Amy Sabol said a performing arts center would help revitalize and invigorate Bedford. Bedford needs new building and new infrastructure to remain vital, she said.

“I think if we can keep this going as a council, it would behoove us to do this, and people 20 years from now will say that council knew what they were doing, and we don’t want to go back,” she said.