DAVIESS CO., KY (WFIE) -
Turning the old state office building into a Bluegrass Center may become a reality after all.
On Tuesday, Owensboro City Commission agreed to help fund the project.
With the city agreeing to contribute $3 million, the question now is where is the other $7 million dollars going to come from to turn that building right there into a Bluegrass Center?
About a year ago, the city commission hired a group to see how much money it would cost to convert the old state office building into a Bluegrass Music Center.
"When it got to be 18 million, I didn't think it could happen without the state's support and when they turned us down, I thought it was dead," said Terry Woodward.
International Bluegrass Music Museum Board Chairman Terry Woodward decided to get a second opinion from another consultant group.
"I didn't think they did an in depth study. I think they did the square footage or whatever and just their study was based around would the building work," Woodward said.
Woodward's study found the building could be redone for just under $10 million. On Tuesday, Woodward told the city commission he could raise $7 million for the new facility if the city would contribute $3 million. The commission accepted his offer.
"It's first class and we didn't cut any corners," Woodward said.
"I'm energized. Enthused. Excited," said Bluegrass Museum Director Gabrielle Gray.
"Just give me about two people and a computer and I'll raise the money for you," Woodward said.
Bluegrass officials say $3 million will come from major donors, half million from corporate naming rights and $3.5 million from individual donors.
"I think we're going be building next year," Gray said.
"Tourism wise, I think we can attract 100,000 visitors a year. Economic impact would be huge," Woodward said.
Woodward says the new center would make most of its money from hosting events.
"I think the big one is a Saturday Night Opry, summer musical. The Friday after Five events that we can create," Woodward said.
If all goes according to plan, the Bluegrass Museum officials say the new center will be ready in April of 2014.
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