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Clark State reveals plans for expansion, but funds still needed

Clark State Community College's proposed $5.8 million Creative Arts Conference Center will consist of two wings connected by an atrium. The building is expected to be completed in January 2012.

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Photos: Arts center unveiled for downtown

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Clark State Community College unveiled the first look of its proposed $5.8 million Creative Arts Conference Center on Tuesday, Sept. 29, which is slated to be built downtown.

By Andrew McGinn, Staff Writer Updated 11:09 AM Wednesday, September 30, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The Kuss Auditorium stage has played host to symphony concerts, Broadway musicals, country singers and even ice shows.

The occasional luncheon has proved to be more problematic.

“If food gets down in the stage flooring,” said Stuart Secttor, executive director of the Clark State Performing Arts Center, “that odor’s there.”

But if Clark State Community College can raise the money still needed to build a $5.8 million Creative Arts and Conference Center nearby, Kuss Auditorium can go back to being just a performance hall.

The proposed center, officially unveiled at a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 29, will serve as an expansion of sorts to the 86,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center.

While connected to the PAC only by a canopy, the new center would give Clark State an extra 25,820 square feet of space to be used for a variety of purposes — including conferences and luncheons.

“It has great potential,” Secttor said. “We’re looking to provide a service to the community and our region.”

Slated to open in January 2012, the center will be built in the current Turner Studio Theatre parking lot. “But we still have ample parking,” Secttor said.

To make it a reality, though, the college has to answer an $850,000 challenge grant from the Detroit-based Kresge Foundation.

Clark State is only the sixth community college nationwide to receive such a grant since the foundation was created in 1924 by the founder of Kmart.

The college, which so far has raised about $200,000, must raise its entire $850,000 match by June 30.

“It’s all or nothing,” said Andy Bell, chairman of the fundraising campaign. “The opportunity it provides our community is too strong not to succeed.”

The remainder of the funding includes $2 million of state money as well as other contributions and foundation support.

In addition to a main hall capable of seating 500, the center also would include classrooms for Clark State’s theater program and a permanent home for Project Jericho, the college’s nationally recognized arts outreach program.

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There are a lot of good things happening in downtown Springfield. Many buildings have been recently renovated or are undergoing renovations. It's not going to happen over night, but look at what the Shawnee Hotel did, the Delscamp Lofts, Garrigan's, the Heritage Center and numerous other facilities. With the construction of the new hospital, hopefully downtown will look a little better and we can start to take pride in our community again. If downtown Columbus and Dayton can do it, we can too.

Sara
11:30 PM, 9/30/2009

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Wow this is amazing, I cant believe that with all of the State budget deficits and budget cuts that something like this would even be under consideration. I even went to Clark State and was born and raised in Springfield and still live in the area, and still would not want to support this. Also, what does having a 5.8 million dollar facility for conferences and luncheons have to do with providing a better education at Clark State.

gary w
5:58 PM, 9/30/2009

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Wow, what a great thing to have in your and my former community. I can only hope that the community continues to support you.

Ellen
10:46 AM, 9/30/2009

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Clark State is turning into quite a nice little college.

Dave
7:37 AM, 9/30/2009

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