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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

DDA allocates funds for RAC

Officials give Center $25,000 to elevator project

By Christine Laughren, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: February 28, 2008

The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority reauthorized $25,000 for the Riverside Arts Center elevator project at its regularly scheduled meeting last Thursday.

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According to Brian Vosburg, director of the DDA, the board originally set aside $5,000 for the project but wanted to give more.

"The board wanted to consider a $25,000 contribution but we didn't know if that was a financial contribution we could make," Vosburg said.

However, after looking at their numbers the DDA, which owns the RAC, was able to come up with $25,000 for the $650,000 project.

Barry LaRue, RAC Foundation board member, said $558,000 worth of funding has already been identified for the project, with the biggest chunk ($483,000) coming from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The MEDC grant was originally designated for park improvements to Water Street. But because developer Biltmore Properties Corp. backed out of a residential/commercial development the funds were redirected to the RAC.

LaRue said the arts center received the MEDC grant because a plan for an elevator was already in the works.

He said funds for the project have to be committed by April 30 and the project has to be complete by the end of the year.

With the addition of an elevator in the RAC the center's board hopes to turn the third floor into a studio space or classrooms.

With $92,000 still unaccounted for, LaRue said the RAC is scrambling to get that money. He said if the money cannot be raised by April, the RAC would more than likely take out a loan so as not to loose the MEDC grant.

"We are going to explore all options to make sure we do not loose this grant," LaRue said.

For more information about the Riverside Arts Center elevator project call 480-ARTS or visit www.riversidearts.org.

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