Money from the city's Community Preservation Act fund could be used to build a much-needed elevator in the Waltham Museum.
The city's Building Department applied last week for $275,000 in CPA cash to help pay for the construction of the elevator and make other improvements at the building, said William Durkee, manager of the city's CPA program.
"It's a full-service elevator," Durkee said.
Durkee said the Building Department told the Community Preservation Committee the work would cost about $550,000 but the rest of the money was already in place.
Friends of the Waltham Museum arranged a lease with the city in 2004 to occupy the first floor of the old police station at 25 Lexington St.
Al Arena, director of the museum, said he wants to expand into the second floor and the basement and is hoping to acquire another lease from the city.
Before that can happen an elevator needs to be installed so the building meets requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In addition to the application from the Building Department, the Community Preservation Committee listened to a host of other requests for CPA funding, including $2.7 million by the Planning Department for the design and construction of the city's portion of the Wayside Rail Trail.
The city's stretch of the trail will extend from Linden Street to the Weston line. The Planning Department also requested funding to purchase property on Moody Street for open space. The property is next to the Charles River and River Walk.
The CPA fund has grown through property tax surcharges and matching state grants since it was approved by voters in November 2005. Durkee said after $1.8 million in CPA money was approved for various projects earlier this month, the city's fund has about $7 million remaining.
The money has to be used for open space, historical preservation, recreation and affordable housing.
Durkee said tomorrow he and members of the Community Preservation Committee will visit the sites where the CPA money is being requested.
The committee will then meet at a future date to vote on the requests. The Law Department would then review any approvals.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
