Funding to bring a structure up to code to house the A.R.T. House for the Flint and Steel Coalition gained approval from the Mineola City Council Monday, contingent upon approved use of federal COVID relief dollars.

The coalition hopes to establish the building as a place for community youth to gather for a variety of artistic endeavors.

The city recently acquired the property and had targeted it for storage.

City Manager Mercy Rushing estimated it will take $300,000 to bring the building up to code and demolish a portion that cannot be saved.

The city plans to seek funding through the American Rescue Plan, and if those funds can be spent on the project, it would go forward.

Rushing noted that once the city has a plan in place to spend that money, it will come before the council for final approval.

The city is seeking a consultant to help ensure that projects targeted for the funds would be approved.

Rushing said she is all for the project, and it will be good for economic development, serving as a sort of youth entrepreneurship incubator.

She suggested that once the city gets the building in shape, it could lease it for $1 per year to the coalition, which would be responsible for equipping the facility.

Flint and Steel has approached Mineola ISD about equipping the computer lab (see related story Page 2A).

The city hopes to pave a parking lot on the site for use during downtown events.