By AMBER DILLEY
GLASGOW — A local landmark will be getting some upgrades, thanks to a recently received Community Block Development grant for $500,000.
The Liberty District-Ralph Bunche Community Center will be renovated to include some heating and cooling upgrades, lighting upgrades, ventilation will be added to the gym and a play room will get some insulation, according to Nick Cook, project specialist with the Barren River Area Development District.
“This will allow the facility to continue its mission and purpose,” Cook said. “And it will allow the facility to operate more efficiently.”
The money will go through the county and was approved at the fiscal court meeting Tuesday.
“This is an historical building that has been put to very good use,” said County Judge-Executive Davie Greer. “It’s a sound building, but needs work inside. This will help with repairs to the building.”
Greer said Alma Glover, director of the Bunche Center, brought the idea to her and they both went through BRADD to get the application filled out.
The building, which housed the Bunche School, was completed in 1955 and has had minimal building updates since.
The building now houses various community programs, including the Boys and Girls Club.
The money, which should be able to be utilized in the next several months, Cook said, comes through the Community Development Block Grant.
“Those funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and they are geared in this case to benefit places that house activities for 51 percent of lower income individuals in the area,” Cook said. “Grants like this are competitive. They’re tough to get any way you look at it. I think we’re all excited we were able to receive it.”
Glover declined to provide any information about the grant.
