A vacant, weed-dotted lot on one of
Grand Rapids' main thoroughfares will soon give rise to a
multi-million-dollar rehearsal hall for Opera Grand Rapids. The new
building will replace a factory that burned down nearly a decade ago.
According to excerpts from the story:
GRAND RAPIDS -- Opera Grand Rapids will
break ground in June on the Betty Van Andel Opera Center, the first
permanent home in the company's 42-year history. The end of eight years
of planning and fundraising was announced Saturday evening at Opera
Grand Rapids' spring gala. About $2.25 million has been raised to build the two-story building on East Fulton Street, west of Aquinas College.
The
final $115,000 was raised in a public campaign held this spring, with
upwards of 140 contributors pledging gifts of $20 to $5,000. Opera
Grand Rapids executive director Michael Havlicek said he is grateful
for the support, despite challenging economic times.
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