Leahy Secures Funds
For Latchis Project

WASHINGTON (Fri., Nov. 9) -- Sen. Patrick Leahy has secured $300,000 to assist the Brattleboro Arts Initiative and Vermont Preservation Trust in the preservation and renovation of the historic Latchis Complex into a multi-use educational, performing arts and conference center for the Brattleboro area.

Leahy included the provision in the annual budget bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Leahy is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and of its VA/HUD and Independent Agencies Subcommittee, which wrote the bill. The House and Senate passed the final version of the bill this week, and Leahy said President Bush is expected to sign it within days.

More than 60 years ago the sons of Demetrius P. Latchis, a successful businessman from Greece, honored their father’s memory with a four-story Art Deco building that is uncomparable to anything in the region. The unique nature and sheer size of this building make it one of Vermont’s landmarks.

The Latchis Center will make a significant contribution to the ongoing revitalization of Brattleboro’s downtown business community. Arts and cultural events are recognized by town planners and economists as major factors in establishing and maintaining a vital economy.

The mission of the Brattleboro Arts Initiative is to provide high-quality facilities for the performing and visual arts in the region. The Preservation Trust’s mission is to preserve Vermont’s architectural heritage. The goals of both organizations are realized in the preservation of the Latchis Complex, one of only two remaining Art Deco structures in Vermont, and in making the facility available as a multi-use center containing three theaters for cinema and live arts performances, in addition to the hotel and restaurant.

"Once again, local initiative has won the day through creative matchmaking, and I am delighted that the federal government is helping through this partnership," said Leahy. "This project is converting a cherished piece of Brattleboro’s heritage into a cornerstone for Brattleboro’s future. The Latchis Project will be yet another outstanding part of the effort to restore downtown Brattleboro, much of which has already been accomplished with tremendous community spirit."

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