BFJ Planning provided State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) services for the development of a Performing Arts Center as part of the Bard College Master Plan. The College is located within the Hudson River Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, in Dutchess County. Frank Gehry designed the Performing Arts Center as an 800-seat, multi-purpose auditorium to be used for staging drama, dance, opera, and music performances. The performing arts center was built and is known as the Fisher Center.

BFJ prepared the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the Performing Arts Center. The DEIS addressed various sensitive issues including the Arts Center‘s visual impact on the Hudson River, the Sawkill Creek and neighboring histor-ic properties, potential ecological impacts to the Sawkill, and potential impact on cultural resources such as the Hudson River Historic District. The FEIS prepared by BFJ evaluated a range of site alternatives developed to reduce potential impacts to such resources and identified a preferred site for the center. BFJ also provided development advice to the College and the development team, including the identification of strategies to expedite required permits and approvals.