 A group of community leaders attempted to pass a referendum to construct a theater in 1974, but, needing 60% approval, it received only 54% and failed.After the narrow defeat, Des Moines business leaders decided to form a privately held, not-for-profit corporation to build and run a performing arts facility.The city's largest fundraising effort at the time raised $9.3 million to build the Civic Center in fewer than 90 days.