Fiscal Court has approved a $100,000 grant to go toward RiverPark Center’s fundraising capital campaign — “Entertaining the Future.” According to Judge-Executive Al Mattingly, RPC will receive the first $50,000 now, while the other half will match the next $50,000 RiverPark is able to raise on its own.
RiverPark board chair Jeff Ebelhar told County commissioners at Thursday’s meeting that the performing arts center has set out to raise $750,000 as part of their capital campaign. Most of that money will go toward renovating the Turley building — or former International Bluegrass Museum– and the rest will be spent on expanding the existing women’s restroom in RiverPark and installing new carpet in the lobby.
“Our carpet’s 10 years old, and it’s stained, and it’s almost embarrassing for us,” Ebelhar said. “We expect the carpet to cost around $100,000.”
Ebelhar said he’s made it his mission to replace that carpet by the end of this year.
So far, $425,000 has been raised — $200,000 of that came from the City of Owensboro, while around $227,000 has either been donated or pledged by citizens across the community.
RiverPark plans to convert the Turley building into commercial rental property space, with $500,000 of the $750,000 raised going toward renovating the three-story downtown building.
Ebelhar said that the Turley building was re-named and re-branded in the effort to lease it out and make it stand apart from the former bluegrass museum title. In renting that property out, RiverPark will have the chance to create additional income for their organization they otherwise wouldn’t have.
“Our investment there is tremendous, we’re just trying to convert that to an income-producing property,” Ebelhar said.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly spoke highly of RiverPark’s fundraising efforts.
“I think the RiverPark Center is a gem, and the crown of downtown Owensboro. It actually anchors one end of Owensboro,” he said. “The fact that you’ll take this money and use it to produce revenue going forward pleases me.”
Mattingly said that the $100,000 granted to RiverPark stems from the transient room tax, or hotel tax, of which the County receives 2 percent each year. Mattingly’s proposal was to give RiverPark the entire amount.
“The first $50,000 would be immediate, and the next 50 will be the last 50 you will raise on your way to $750,000,” Mattingly said. “We want to hold your feet to the fire and make sure you get out and raise that money.”
Ebelhar said RiverPark officials are negotiating a contract for the third floor of the Turley building.
“They have a lease in their hands and this afternoon, about 3 o’clock, I received a letter of intent from somebody who wants to lease the first floor,” Ebelhar said. “It’s a letter of intent, it’s not binding, so we’ve got some details to work through, but it’s looking favorable.”
