Couple plans to turn historic bank into art center

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- After two months of campaigning, Save 92 West Main is in the final days of fundraising to save a historic bank in downtown Benton Harbor. The people spearheading the effort plan to turn it into a center for the arts.



"My wife had this vision and this dream of what this building could be capable of and so I went along with that dream and provided the necessities to keep it maintained and make sure it did not deteriorate anymore," said Thomas Miller of Save 92 West Main.



Thomas bought the building in 2006 for his wife, Sherry, a playwright.



Sherry has a vision of what the building can become.



"This would be a box office. It's the first thing I saw with the curtains and it's a place where you can buy tickets. This would be an area where there would be costume changes. Here, this is where I envision for a theatre and develop award winning works," said Sherry.



This building is over 100 years old and the vault is from the early 1900s.



This historic bank building, lined with intricate designs and a marble staircase, will need a lot of restoration before the curtains can go up on a real play. 



Sherry says she does not plan to change its original look.



"It's part of what we are trying to do, to keep that facade. And we are afraid of losing it because there are a lot of as of right now, chips, cracks, and it is going to take a lot of work," said Sherry.



The final fundraising push is on November 9th at 92 West Main featuring a visit to the vault. Everyone is welcome.

If you would like to contribute to their efforts, click here for more information.