The grant will pay for a substantial amount of the $1.5 million project and Mayor Domenique Thornton was confident the city would be able to get the money with the help of State Rep. Joseph Serra and State Sen. Billy Ciotto.

"I really have to thank our state legislators for pushing this through," said Thornton. "I kind of knew they would come through for the city."

Thornton found out about the grant after receiving a call from a state official a few months ago and was notified by Serra that the grant had gone through and the city would get the money.

The money is a state grant and part of an overall larger grant used to aid municipalities, according to Thornton.

For Thornton, the center will be an integral part of her overall plan to revitalize the North End and Main Street as she hopes to turn the city into a center for the arts. Thornton is very excited about the center’s reopening in November and cannot wait for residents to take advantage of the services it will offer.

"All the performing arts will be available from music, dance, poetry, video, as well as many more," said Thornton. "There will also be adult classes such as Yoga and dance."

Classes will be priced on a sliding scale based on income levels. Scholarships will also be available.

The center will be staffed by Wesleyan students and professors and the school will lease the building for $1 a year. Ricardo Morris will serve as the director.

"The center is the result of great partnership between the city, state and Wesleyan University," said Thornton.

To pay for the project the city chipped in $225,000 while Wesleyan and other local organiza-tions raised $875,000 for the center.

To contact Szymon Twarog, call (860)347-3331 Ext. 220 or email stwarog@middletownpress.com.