Huntsville wants to attract bigger theater performances with the City Council’s approval of a $15 million upgrade to the Von Braun Center.

The approved expenditure will fund further improvements and modernization to a venue that has become a cultural icon to the community, said Huntsville City administrator John Hamilton.

“It’s a pretty significant project,” Hamilton told AL.com.

The city council, without discussion, voted unanimously to pay for the project during their meeting Thursday night.

The one-year project will include upgrades to the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Playhouse, and the Saturn Ballroom, building an extension to the back of the concert hall and enlarging the VBC kitchen, according to the contract agreement between the city and Turner Construction Company.

“Some of the limitations they have is some of the infrastructure that holds rigging and lights and things like that. There’s certain shows that have significant props that could not go in there without the structure being upgraded,” Hamilton said.

He said the project will also include expanding the green room to make room for more actors, musicians and performers.

“It will absolutely make some improvements to the concert hall, allowing them to actually host bigger plays and things on Broadway theater-type events as well as make improvements for musical events and other things,” he said.

The VBC will clock 50 years in 2025.