FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Western Reserve Fire Museum: Scott Carpenter – 216.262.1723; carpenters@wrfmc.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $83,334 for
Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $83,334 at its quarterly meeting today for the Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center.
The museum, which is being created through an adaptive reuse of the former Fire Station #28 in Cleveland, will illustrate the history of firefighting through its collection of journals, photographs and artifacts. The facility also will sponsor fire safety programs for the community, continuing education and workforce training programs, and programs for students that teach science and math concepts through the science of firefighting. Much of the building’s historic interior spaces will be restored to their original appearance, while transforming the building to house museum, education and administrative components. State funds will contribute to the installation of an ADA-compliant elevator, upgrades to electric service and panels, and installation of new exterior doors, new exit and emergency lights, and new exhaust fans.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Western Reserve Fire Museum to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly. Cuyahoga County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senators Timothy Grendell, Dale Miller, Thomas Patton, Shirley Smith and Nina Turner; Representatives Barbara Boyd, Armond Budish, Michael DeBose, Timothy DeGeeter, Matthew Dolan, Mike Foley, Josh Mandel, Eugene Miller, Michael Skindell, Sandra Williams and Kenneth Yuko; former Senator Robert Spada; and former Representative Jennifer Brady.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that supports economic development, expands educational opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds appropriated by the Legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with nonprofit groups and local governments on more than 300 projects in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
