Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage could open in 2011

[Blue_Tires]

African-American leaders on Monday gained possession of the old trolley barn in Louisville where they have long planned to develop a heritage center.

The transfer, announced at a news conference with Gov. Steve Beshear and Mayor Jerry Abramson, will make it easier for the center's foundation to raise money and should “restore public confidence that the project will move forward,” foundation chairwoman Christie McCravy said.

She said the facility, to be called the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage, could open in 2011. It will focus on the accomplishments and stories of African Americans throughout the state, and some exhibits are already being developed, McCravy said.

The African American Heritage Foundation now needs to raise about $5million to pay off debt, develop exhibits and finish renovation of the site, at 18th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard, she said. It will be able to use the property for revenue-generating exhibits. It plans to open an exhibit with mostly replicated King Tut artifacts on Feb. 26.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100118/NEWS01/1180354/1008/news01/Kentucky+Center+for+African-American+Heritage+could+open+in+2011