MiddletownJournal.com

LEBANON — Results of a site selection study will be presented to the Warren County Arts and Culture Center Board of Trustees in April that will allow the group to choose a location for an arts center.

The board commissioned consulting agency Skystone Ryan in January to conduct a three-month study on possible locations for the proposed arts center. The study focuses on eight sites previously identified from another feasibility study. They include: Otterbein homes, the San Mar Gale housing development, Rivers Crossing, Bishop Fenwick High School, the Warren County Fairgrounds, the Warren County government center, Armco Park and a piece of land affiliated with the Countryside YMCA.

Skystone Ryan representative Lisa Williams told the trustees Friday, March 13 that the agency has spoken with 23 of the approximately 35 people listed by the trustees as interested parties in the project. This includes members of the art community, local business people and government officials. She said the interviews are on schedule and will be completed in time for the next scheduled meeting on Friday, April 13.

Previous studies determined a new arts center would require approximately three acres of land for the 26,000-square-foot building and the necessary parking. The cost estimated to complete the project is between $12 million and $14 million.

The $100,000 needed to complete the study came from trustee donations according to WCACC board president Dan Cunningham, citing the board's commitment to move the process forward.

Once the trustees decide on a location, the next step is identify fund raising resources and begin looking at designs for the building.