MONROE — A 165-year-old downtown Monroe building has a new purpose.
River Raisin Centre for the Arts recently purchased and revitalized the historic, three-story building at 11 Washington St. Most recently, the structure housed the Monroe Bank & Trust Mortgage Center.
About three weeks ago, RRCA moved most of its classes to the new space. With the purchase, the RRCA will no longer need to lease space. Kristy Linster, president of the 12-member RRCA executive board, said the purchase was made with “a substantial donation from a friend of the theater.” The RRCA plans to raise funds to renovate the unfinished third floor.
The RRCA operates the River Raisin Ballet Company, River Raisin Dance Academy, River Raisin Repertory, River Raisin Repertory Youth, Monroe Youth Fiddle Ensemble, School of Music, Creative Dramatics, summer theater programs and the new Arts Centre Orchestra (ARCO). There are 125 students in the dance academy alone.
“These are exciting times for the RRCA. To finally be able to have music, theater and dance under one building is a dream come true,” said Gail Choate-Pettit, River Raisin Ballet Co. director and River Raisin Dance Academy instructor.