UNITED WAY FINDS NEW HOME, WHILE ARTS COUNCIL STILL LOOKS

The Area Wide United Way has a new facility and the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts is looking for a new home.

Both agencies had been renting space at the Boatmen's Bank facility at 100 Broadway. But Jeanne Goodman, vice president of marketing for Boatmen's Bank, said the bank needs additional storage space.

"This will be a main equipment storage facility for the bank," she said. "With the bank's continuous growth, we needed some additional space on bank property."

For seven years, the bank has provided space for the agencies.

"We are large corporate benefactors for both organizations," Goodman said. "We expect to continue to enjoy the same beneficial relationship with both organizations.

"This was just a necessity. We sure have enjoyed the relationship. But the bank needs the space."

The United Way has purchased an office building at 1858 Broadway.

Dorothy Klein, executive director of the Area Wide United Way, said that in the 38 years the United Way has been in existence, the office has been moved 30 times.

"It was more cost effective to purchase a building," Klein said.

"Every time you move you have the cost of telephones and everything. We needed a home with some visibility and stability," she said.

The building contains offices and a meeting room, as well as room for expansion.

The new location is also more accessible.

Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director of the arts council, said she is looking for a new location.

Boatmen's Bank has waived rent until the end of the year to help ease the cost of the move.

"We are extremely grateful to Boatmen's Bank for the last seven years," Strohmeyer said, adding that the bank absorbed the cost of utilities and never raised the rent.

"The biggest problem we have is finding something we can afford," Strohmeyer said. "We're looking for gallery space. We believe that's important for an arts council, and we need office space. Ideally, we would like to have at least one classroom space so we could offer classes after school.

"We have exhibits booked to December 1994," she said. "We really have to find a space with a gallery."

She said the new facility should have at least 1,800 square feet of space and she would prefer 2,500 square feet.

Strohmeyer said the organization doesn't have sufficient funds to purchase a building and is looking for space to rent.