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Clark County Arts Center Breathes New Life Into Springfield

Clark State Community College now has a home for its arts program. The Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts Center will also host other arts organizations in the community. It is part of the City of Springfield's plan to revitalize downtown. WYSO's Wayne Baker reports.

Clark State president, Karen Rafinski, says the Arts Center took nearly 7 years to complete. She says it has been one of the most important projects for Clark State and the City of Springfield.

"We didn't have dedicated space in the form of a building for any of our arts programs. This will actually pull and create an arts headquarters that will happen in the downtown from the Leffel's Lane Campus," says Rafinski.

The center will not only host the university's arts programs, but is open to community organizations as well, like the nationally renowned Project Jericho. The Arts Center holds 1,500 people and is centrally located. And Rafinski says that will attract new business for events downtown.

"We expect various groups to book into the facility. Particularly those that are located in the downtown area. The new hospital right behind us in November is dedicating their facility. It is all part of the rebirth of downtown Springfield as we move forward together," says Rafinski.

The Center cost $5.6 million and will have its grand opening Saturday night.