THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The Center on Halsted has received grants from The Kresge Foundation of Troy, Mich., totaling $950,000, according to an organizational press release.

An initial $800,000 grant was awarded in the form of a challenge for the construction of a new LGBT community center at 3656 N. Halsted. A bonus grant of $150,000 is to be awarded once the center has received its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED ) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Center, which broke ground earlier this year, is nearing the $17.5 million mark of its $20 million capital campaign. The leadership phase has been co-chaired by Robert Bell and Martin Gapshis.

In order to receive The Kresge Foundation's challenge grant Center on Halsted must complete the $20 million campaign by Jan. 1, 2007. This grant launches the public phase of the Center's capital campaign.

Robbin Burr, Center executive director, said, 'We can only afford to celebrate for a moment because we still have work ahead of us. Our board and staff are up to this; we are confident that our community is too. We invite everyone to join us as we meet the Kresge challenge.'

The new three-story building will dramatically expand the Center's programming capabilities by housing a Whole Foods Market, the Hoover-Leppen Theatre, the Billie Jean King Recreation Hall, the Richard M. Daley Rooftop Garden, and meeting spaces.

The Center formally announced the grants Nov. 3 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.