Daniela Berson
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The Kennedy Center is expanding with help from aerospace company Boeing.

Boeing donated $20 million to help improve the performing arts center, a project expected to cost $100 million total.

Eileen Andrews, Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations called the donation “transformative.”

“Boeing has been a generous Kennedy Center supporter for many years,” Andrews said, “This is indeed one of the largest gifts to the campaign.”

Andrews said that she hopes the expansion draws more people to the arts.

The expected additions to the Kennedy Center include a pedestrian bridge from Rock Creek and smaller auditoriums, so theatergoers will experience a more intimate environment.

This is the first Kennedy Center construction project since it was built in 1971.

The new areas of the building will be open in 2018.

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