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“The Springfield Museum of Art and Wittenberg University have been engaged in conversations regarding what we believe is in the best interest of all parties and a positive step forward for the community we both proudly call home,” the statement says. “We are still finalizing all the details and look forward to making a formal announcement in the upcoming months.”
Along with the art museum project, authority board members turned down three other requests.
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Other requested projects included a $5,000 request from the Springfield Rotary Club to sponsor its food truck rally this summer. The Westcott House sought $15,000 for repairs to that museum’s sleeping porches and pergola, while the Heritage Center of Clark County asked for $20,000 to upgrade the flooring at the Un Mundo Cafe on its first floor.
The projects all had merit, CFA board member Don Wallace said, but none of the requests fit its mission. The board will continue to accept other requests this year that might draw more overnight hotel stays to Clark County.
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“We’re very clear we aren’t shutting the doors,” Wallace said.
The authority is funded by local hotel bed taxes and is tasked with supporting projects that lead to more overnight stays and tourism in Clark County.
The groups denied Thursday could make new requests that would draw more overnight hotel stays, Wallace said.
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There are many worthwhile projects in Clark County the CFA could fund, said Mike McDorman, president and CEO of the Chamber of Greater Springfield. But he argued the authority should focus its resources on projects that will have the greatest impact.
“It’s 100 percent about what new things we can bring to the community to have a direct impact on what we’re doing,” McDorman said.
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