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Mid-Hudson Civic Center seeks nearly all-public funding to modernize aging venue
Summary
Board representatives said the nonprofit civic center has invested roughly $1.3 million in repairs over five years but is requesting $2.2 million of $2.3 million total project cost from DRI to support broader accessibility, bleacher and front-entry improvements and other upgrades; they said the center reinvests operating surplus into capital but
Representatives of the Mid-Hudson Civic Center asked the Local Planning Committee to support a $2.2 million DRI request within a $2.3 million total project budget to modernize the facility, improve accessibility and repair infrastructure degraded by flooding and deferred maintenance.
Board vice chair Chris Lapin and board member Sudan Ashwa described recent investments of about $1.3 million over the last five years to replace a roof, HVAC, seating and other systems but said substantial work remains to make the venue competitive with other regional facilities and to provide ADA accessibility and functional bleachers.
“We've been investing into this aging building,” Ashwa said, describing past flood damage and ongoing repairs. Lapin said much of the board’s recent capital came from reallocating operating revenue and from modest fundraising such as a golf tournament and sponsorships.
The presenters listed needs including ADA upgrades to the entry, new bleacher motors or replacement seating (some bleacher motors are no longer operational and the bleachers are being pulled manually), restroom and stage repairs, and a new streetscape and gathering area at the front of the facility. They said modernizing the venue would help attract events and sports tournaments that benefit Main Street businesses.
The LPC asked about private fundraising and the board said they have begun sponsorship and event fundraising but continue to rely heavily on operating revenue and modest private donations. No formal action was taken; the committee asked for further documentation of capital needs and potential matching sources.
