Blandin Foundation grant supports Armory project to defray legal costs

The Blandin Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to Park Rapids Community Development Corporation (PRCDC) to help secure a $2.5 million appropriation by the State of Minnesota for the City of Park Rapids Economic Development Authority to acquire the Armory Square redevelopment for use as a regional arts and events center, the Upper Mississippi Center for the Arts.
Funds provided by the Blandin Foundation will pay for due diligence and legal costs associated with development of contract documents, appraisal work, and other statutory compliance requirements to obligate the state grant to the City of Park Rapids EDA.
The Blandin Foundation grant will also be used to prepare a “User Agreement” consistent with state requirements that allows PRCDC to operate the facility independently from the City’s operating budget with no subsidy or ongoing burden on the City’s taxpayers.
Last May, the City of Park Rapids Economic Development Authority was awarded $2.5 million in state bonding funds to develop Armory Square into a regional arts, education, cultural and events center. In order to receive the state funding, the Armory must be publicly owned. Park Rapids city officials and the Park Rapids Community Development Corporation (PRCDC) are currently analyzing the costs and details of an agreement that would transfer ownership of Armory Square to the city.
“The PRCDC board is working hard to ensure a sustainable model for operating the Armory as an arts and events center,” said Nicole Lalum, executive director of the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
“This is the fundamental drive behind the Armory project – to develop an arts center that draws people to Park Rapids so our businesses can flourish, enhancing the vitality and livability of our city,” she said.