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ST. LUCIE WEST • TRADITION
YourVoiceWeekly.com VOL. 3/ISSUE 19
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Jungle performances
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015
‘Tradition (Studios) is the illusion of permanence’ Brandon Zeris STAFF WRITER
bzeris@YourVoiceWeekly.com
PORT ST. LUCIE — Woody Allen’s line “tradition is the illusion of permanence” in the 1997 movie “Deconstructing Harry” seems to be an appropriate quote to make light of Tradition Studios’ woes, as nothing about past promissed deals for the former Digital Domain building has ever resonated with anything permanent. That appropriate sentiment
looks like it will be over. Port St. Lucie City Council made a major vote, Monday, likely ending a tiresome two years trying to find someone to buy Tradition Studios. The council unanimously voted, for its second reading to enter a deal with Jupiter businessman and developer James Hall for a $15 million sale of the former Digital Domain building. “I’m just going to be glad to see this one done,” Vice Mayor Linda Bartz said.
See TRADITION page A10
VGTI struggling with large deficits and scientist exodus STAFF WRITER
bzeris@YourVoiceWeekly.com
Mitch Kloorfain/chief photographer Samantha Jackson of St. Lucie West (left) and Kirstin Leisey rehearse with the rest of the dance troupe for ‘If Broadway Just Danced’ at Port St. Lucie High school. Two Broadway shows, Chicago and The Lion King, are performed solely through dance. Performances are Friday and Saturday March 20th & 21st at 7p.m. and Sunday March 22nd at 3p.m. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FORT PIERCE, FL PERMIT NO. 248 ECRWSS
Local Postal Customer
PORT ST. LUCIE — Yet another business the city of Port St. Lucie helped fund is in financial woes. The Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute has about $4 million in loan payments due this year — one for $2.5 million in May and one for $1.5 million in November — but representatives said that could be a problem. Douglas Calder, VGTI execu-
tive director of development and communications, said while the payments might be able to be made, the ability to secure funding from the National Institutes of Health has hurt. “There’s no question VGTI is facing some financial challenges, much like our peers, based on the current NIH funding environment and climate,” Calder said. The institute has undergone a rebranding of sorts to make itself relevant in the industry
See VGTI page A12 17503
Brandon Zeris