The state’s capital outlay bill passed a crucial Senate committee vote earlier this week and has a good chance of passing the two houses and a conference committee intact.

That’s according to Assistant Secretary of State Al Ater, who is paying close attention to the bill’s fate.

That is because the bill, House Bill 2, includes $200,000 for the purchase of the old Arcade Theater building on Louisiana Avenue in Ferriday.

That building would then become part of the Delta Music Museum, housed in a former post office adjacent to the theater building. And the Secretary of State’s Office runs the state’s network of museums.

The extra space would be used for performance and additional exhibit space as well as a mini-recording studio for children, Ater has said.

The bill still faces votes by the House and Senate and, probably, a vote by a conference committee to iron out the bill’s details.

&uot;But it looks like we’re in pretty good shape,&uot; Ater said. &uot;At least, we haven’t lost (any of the money) yet.&uot;

The capital outlay bill also includes the following projects:

4$845,000 for Vidalia riverfront development, including a visitor welcome center and infrastructure. That does not include an additional $122,800 from the state’s general fund for the visitor center.

4$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 to pay for architect’s drawings for the revitalization project proposed by Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin.

4$20,000 that can be used for planning and construction of a tutorial building for the Concordia Youth and Adult Community Association.