Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Museum project money approved

- TRACY M. NEAL

ROGERS — The city will pay up to $2.5 million for the expansion and renovation of the Rogers Historical Museum.

The City Council agreed Tuesday to pay for the final phase of the project up to $2.5 million.

The council’s Finance Committee approved the item and a short time later the council unanimousl­y voted in favor of the agreement.

John Burroughs, museum executive director, said more than $3 million has been raised for the project, which is expected to $5.5 million.

The city’s $2.5 million means the museum and Rogers Museum Foundation raised the total amount for the project.

Burroughs said he expects the city to contribute less than the $2.5 millions because fundraisin­g isn’t over. Burroughs expects the foundation will receive a $250,000 grant in the fall for the project.

Burroughs said he’s pleased and proud of Mayor Greg Hines and the council’s commitment to the museum.

The museum project includes renovating of the old Haley Ford Building and the museum.

The project also included the museum’s new collection building at Third and Poplar Streets.

Burroughs expects the Haley Building will be opened by Christmas 2018.

Burroughs told the council they had plans of building a new museum, but purchasing the Haley Building met their needs. Burroughs said building a new museum would have cost $7.9 million and it could have been significan­tly higher.

The council also voted to accept a $500,000 grant from the Rogers Museum Foundation. The grant is included in the $3 million raised for the project.

The foundation raised the $500,000 as part of matching grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Hines praised the foundation for its fundraisin­g effort. Hines said he committed the city to contributi­ng $2.5 million but he also expects it to be less because of the foundation’s fundraisin­g effort.

Hines said the expansion and renovation is a great project for the city.

Hines also appointed Ashley Pledger, John Hagan and Emery Davis to the Historic District Commission. They are replacing three others on the commission.

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