The issue of when and how much to fund capital costs to the City’s future Art Center came up for discussion during Tuesday’s Council Meeting.

Staff was looking for the Council’s nod to fund improvements to both the parking lot and interior of the Art Center to make it accessible to the public. Part of that work would involve adding more parking and updating the interior of the building, located at 7650 Equitable Drive, to meet ADA standards.

Bids for the remodeling were about $83,000 while parking lot work was bid to cost about $92,000.

Mayor Phil Young said he felt strongly that there needs to be a private initiative to fund those costs and was a little reluctant to approve capital expenditures without knowing that fundraising would be successful.

“We’re a little fast on spending these dollars.”

Jay Lotthammer, the City’s Parks and Recreation Director, noted that, the improvements would need to be funded in the near future for the Art Center to open by January.

A new Friends of the Art Center Group has just gotten off the ground in its fundraising plans. That organization is seeking grants from foundations along with funds from private donors.

Lotthammer noted that if they do miss the construction window, that wouldn’t allow them to open the Art Center until June.

“That would be a critical timing.”

Brad Aho concurred with Mayor Young’s concern.

 “A lot of people are concerned about the costs,” he added.

If that money could be raised, he would like to see that happen prior to spending the money to upgrade the facility.

Council member Kathy Nelson, who has been working with the Friends of the Eden Prairie Art Center, noted that, with a lot of Foundation grants, if you don’t have something operational, they’re not going to give you the money.

She said it is her belief that a good portion of the money will be covered by the end of the year.

The Friends of the Eden Prairie Art Center has a goal of raising $500,000 to cover both operational and capital costs of the Art Center.

“I see no reason to wait,” added Nelson, about funding the improvements.

Council Member Sherry Butcher offered a compromise of only funding the parking lot improvements so people could access the Art Center for fundraising events.

Lotthammer noted that they wouldn’t be able hold events without some interior improvements such as assessable restrooms.

 “They are tied together,” he said about the exterior and interior work.

Ultimately the Council decided to table the question until the next meeting when staff could bring forward an alternative funding option that included less work on the interior.

Nelson pointed out that if they build the parking lot improvements this year, it saves costs on asphalt.

 “I see no reason to wait and spend more money next spring.”