The project to unite the Cayuga Museum of History and Art and the Schweinfurth Art Center’s campuses is receiving additional funding from the City of Auburn.
Mayor Jimmy Giannettino announced that $385,000 in Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) funding has been allocated to the West End Arts Campus project. Originally, the project had received $1,868,974 in DRI funding, bringing the total amount of DRI support to $2,253,974.
“The DRI has helped to bring an exciting reinvestment in all of Auburn’s art and cultural institutions. The City views our cultural sites as vital to our local economy and these additional DRI funds provide major economic investment in our City’s future,” stated Mayor Giannettino.
In May, ground broke on the project to improve the neighboring sites’ campuses at 203 and 205 Genesee Street. Improvements include new walkways, ADA-accessible entryways, upgraded parking lots, and new lighting and signage.
Auburn received $9.7 million in DRI funding in 2019. Under the original plan, $385,000 was to be used to support renovations at Health Central; however, this was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the state wishing to see the funds reallocated. The city then recommended the money go toward the arts campus project.
“The additional investment in the West End Arts Campus is a huge help to us in meeting our goals. With construction well underway we are more excited every day about the improvements at the Cayuga Museum and the Schweinfurth Art Center and what it will mean for the community. This project would not have been possible without assistance from the City of Auburn and NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) funding,” stated Donna Lamb, Executive Director of the Schweinfurth Art Center.
“We are deeply grateful to the City of Auburn and New York State for their substantial support for the West End Arts Campus project. The evolution of the Cayuga Museum and Schweinfurth grounds will positively impact our West End community, creating a space where our two arts organizations can serve as economic drivers, increasing health and educational outcomes in the neighborhood. Thank you for the hard work and dedication from the City of Auburn, local foundations, and donors, who believe in the transformative power of the arts to unite and uplift. This major community investment is possible because of you,” stated Kirsten Gosch, Executive Director of the Cayuga Museum of History and Art.
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