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House OKs additional AMP funding
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Posted on Mar 29 2005
The House of Representatives has passed a bill authorizing the Commonwealth Development Authority to borrow an additional $2 million for the completion of the American Memorial Park’s amphitheater project.
The House approved House Bill 14-312 following findings that the AMP beautification project has incurred a budget shortfall.
Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, who authored the bill, said the project’s $4 million initial funding was insufficient. The Legislature, through Public Law 12-58, appropriated the funds for the construction of a visitor/cultural center, memorial garden, remodeling and upgrading of the amphitheater, and the construction of an exhibit design and a visitor center at the park.
Hofschneider said more funds are needed because the exhibit space was inadequate and needed to be increased by 40 percent.
Further, he said that the cost of exhibit, which amounted to $560,000, was not included in the original budget.
He also said the 60-seat theater needed to be expanded to 120 seats.
Moreover, Hofschneider said that the inadequate initial appropriation and additional expenses incurred caused the amphitheater roof to be left out from the construction, even though the roof was bid out with the visitor center and the memorial.
The lawmaker earlier warned that the funding cost may increase further if the needed $2 million is not made available by March 31, 2005.
The bill now goes to the Senate for action.
