BREAKING GROUND. The Heyde Center for the Arts  will officially break ground on its new parking lot project – adding 27 parking spaces – this summer. (Photo via Facebook)

On Nov. 15 – exactly six months ago – the Heyde Center for the Arts launched a fundraising campaign for a much-needed new parking lot which came with a $252,870 price tag. As of May 15, the hefty fundraising effort reached a significant milestone: its goal has been met. 

The Heyde Center is managed by The Chippewa Valley Cultural Center Inc., and in keeping with the organization’s policies, sufficient funds have to be fully met in a capital development project before construction can begin. Now the project to effectively double the number of parking spaces available at the center can break ground. 

Currently, the center has 26 parking lot spaces, leaving most patrons to use street parking, which is also limited in the neighborhood. The new parking lot will be on the north side of the center and create 27 additional accessible parking spaces.

“Limited safe and more accessible parking has been a complaint of people coming to attend performances, exhibits, business meetings, conferences, and other special occasions,” a recent media release stated. “Additionally, the center will now be able to better accommodate school buses, assisted living vans, and bus tour motorcoaches seeking to drop off participants at the elevator entrance.”

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer with completion expected by Oct. 15, according to the media release.

Keep up with the Heyde Center for the Arts (3 S. High St., Chippewa Falls) on its website and Facebook page.