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The largest donations were $100,000 from Hekemian & Co. Inc., and $50,000 from Inserra Supermarkets. Pledges of $25,000 were received from C.J. Lombardo Co.; Capodagli Property Company/Merida LLC; Lakeland Bank; Oritani Bank; NAI James E. Hanson; and Alfred Sanzari Enterprises.
Attendees who pledged $350 received a seat tag with their name on it in the new performing arts center.
"We got a tremendous response from both the business community and private citizens,” said Jerome J. Lombardo, chairman of the Hackensack Main Street Business Alliance, the group in charge of the redevelopment district for the downtown area, and president of C.J. Lombardo, a real-estate management company. “So many people recognize what a difference this will make in the downtown area and, by extension, the difference it will make in the climate for businesses there."
Pianist Tony DeSare provided entertainment for over 100 attendees, including Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse, Jr., Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino, City Manager David Troast, and city council members Deborah Keeling-Geddis, David Sims, and Leonardo Battaglia.
A former Masonic Hall at 102 State Street is currently being renovated to house the new PAC. Once completed, the PAC will include a 224-seat theater and stage with new audio, video, and lighting systems, a gallery space, dressing rooms, marquee, and lobby with a concession stand.
The City of Hackensack has bonded $1.5 million to cover basic construction, but an additional $750,000 must be raised to cover the work that will begin this summer. The Hackensack PAC is scheduled to open in early 2017.
Those who would like to contribute may still do so. For $350, you can get the name of your choice on a theater seat in the new PAC. A donation of $1,000 and up gets your name on the donor wall. Contact Patrice Foresman at 201-498-1690 or info@uppermain.org to make your donation. All donations are tax deductible.
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