Riverside Arts Center to cut ribbon for new elevator

By Christine Laughren
Feb. 9, 2009    ·    6:34 p.m.

The Riverside Arts Center is celebrating the completion of more than $600,000 in renovations and construction to the facility at 5:30 Thursday.

The RAC organized a ribbon cutting ceremony for Thursday to celebrate the renovation of the lobby and the installation of an elevator connecting the Center with the DTE Energy building.

Approximately $575,000 was invested to construct a glass-encased elevator connecting the two buildings. Another $50,000 was brought in for renovations to the lobby including a new ticket booth that was once housed in Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor.

Barry LaRue, facilities chair for the RAC, said he is relieved and proud to see both projects complete.

“It’s something that we’ve needed for so long,” he said.

The completion of the projects will allow the RAC to focus on more programs based around for arts and culture according to LaRue. He said a much more robust arts education component in the building is the next step.


Construction for the elevator began in the beginning of July. However, planning for it started when a large chunk of money ($500,000) was made available through a grant from 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 grant because a plan for an elevator was already in the works. Funds for the project had to be committed by April 30, 2008 and the project had to be complete by the end of 2008 in order to keep the grant.

However, not everyone in the community was thrilled when City Council approved the transfer of state funds to the RAC Foundation in January 2008.

At the time, several residents voiced concern regarding the process the City used to decide on the elevator project and why the RAC’s elevator project was picked over other possible projects such as work on the Freighthouse in Depot Town or Rutherford Pool in Recreation Park.

The re-allocation of money was approved by all members of City Council at its January 17, 2008 meeting except Brian Robb, who abstained.

“The city did not, in fact, have an alternate capital improvement project that would have fit,” LaRue said of the City’s decision.

Additional funding for the RAC improvements were generated out of the RAC’s fund, the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority and private contributions.

Thursday’s activities include, tours and demonstrations of how the current space available will be used in the future. Refreshments and information on upcoming RAC events will also be available.

Citizen Information:
What: The RAC celebrates its new elevator and lobby
When: Today, 5:30 – 7 p.m. The ribbon cutting is at 6 p.m. followed by tours and light refreshments.
Where: Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St.
RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Contact Jean Nelson to RSVP. jeann@wccnet.edu.