Outlay bill contains thousands for Concordia

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 31, 2003

Tens of thousands of dollars in state money would be available for projects in Concordia Parish if this year’s capital outlay bill is passed intact by the Louisiana Legislature.

The House Appropriations Committee is set to consider the bill during its next meeting, which is set for Tuesday.

Funds that are part of House Bill 2 include $200,000 for the purchase of the old Arcade Theater building on Louisiana Avenue in downtown Ferriday.

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That building would then become part of the Delta Music Museum, housed in a former post office adjacent to the theater building.

&uot;I think our chances of getting that money are very good,&uot; said Louisiana’s Assistant Secretary of State Al Ater.

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office oversees the Delta Music Museum and several other state museums.

&uot;If we can get that (Arcade Theater) building, if could be used for performances, additional exhibit and display space, and even a mini-recording studio where kids could make a CD to take home,&uot; Ater said.

But the museum funds aren’t the only reason officials of the parish and its towns are watching the bill closely. The capital outlay bill also includes:

— $845,000 for Vidalia riverfront development, including a visitor welcome center and infrastructure.

That amount does not include an additional $122,800 from the state’s general fund for the visitor center.

— $500,000 for downtown revitalization projects in Ferriday.

That award comes just a few months after the town received $13,500 from the Louisiana Arts Council. That money is to be used to pay for architect’s drawings for the revitalization project proposed by Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin.

— $20,000 that can be used for planning and construction of a tutorial building for the Concordia Youth and Adult Community Association.