Fraser Valley Arts says it needs roughly $2 million in seed funds; variance and shared‑parking plans discussed

Cassidy Peterson, director of Fraser Valley Arts and the DDA’s new co‑chair, told the board the art center still needs to secure about $2 million in seed funding before it can borrow the remainder for construction; the group is targeting early 2028 as the likeliest start date but noted a chance construction could begin in 2027.

Peterson said the organization will apply for a variance that would allow it to provide five or six on‑site spaces and pursue shared parking agreements with neighboring property owners and town lots for event parking. Town staff and board members discussed interim options, including using a nearby makeshift lot for events and coordinating shuttles if needed. Peterson said the center’s conceptual plans reserve part of the first floor for parking, but that minimizing on‑site parking could improve accessibility and the building footprint for program space.

"We still need to raise about $2 million to get the base that we need before we can borrow the rest," Peterson told the board when asked about the art center’s timeline and funding.