The city of St. Catharines is making progess on a redesign of its proposed downtown performing arts centre.

The city had to go back to the drawing board after bids to build the centre came in between 9 and 17 million higher than budgeted for.

Ward 4 Councillor Mark Elliott tells 610 CKTB's Tim Denis they have found ways to save money.

He says the seat numbers won't change but they have removed hallways or circulation space that wasn't required by code.

They are also trimming some of the backstage wing space and  making changes to expensive footings and  the foundation.

Elliott adds it will still be a bit before the revamped design plans are ready to be presented to the public.

He hopes they will have some drawings of the outside by mid November.

Elliott stresses it will still be the same building.