Rising from an old parking lot on Second and Water Streets, downtown's new arts building is about halfway through construction. Called the "City Center for Contemporary Arts," the building will be the new home of Live Arts, Second Street Gallery, and Light House (a media education center for teens). The organizations, who will jointly own the building, hope to take occupancy by fall of this year (and with good weather and smooth construction, possibly earlier).

The land for the building was donated by a local corporation. Money for building construction has been privately raised by a coalition of the three organizations known as "Charlottesville Contemporary Arts." The total construction cost is estimated at $3.8 million, of which $3 million has already been raised or pledged. Want to contribute the other $800,000 or part thereof? You can send a check to: City Center for Contemporary Arts, PO Box 5851, Charlottesville, 22905.

But the building construction cost doesn't include all the things necessary for the curtain to go up or the gallery to open. The three organizations must each raise their own money for "upfit" - the architecture, equipment and accessories needed to make their space usable. For Live Arts, the upfit costs are conservatively estimated at $300,000 - what it will take, through lights, sound, seating, furnishings, etc., to turn a blank space into a functioning theater. So far, about $270,000 has been raised or pledged toward the goal. To help raise the rest, you can send a check for "upfit" to: Live Arts, 609 E. Market St., C'ville, 22901.

Second Street Gallery needs to about $25,000 for their upfit, including painting, a greeter desk, office equipment, and their biggest cost - lights. So far they've raised about $4,000. To help them the rest of the way, send a check for upfit to: Second Street Gallery, 201 2nd St. NW, C'ville, 22902.

We couldn't reach Light House to find out how much they need to prepare their space in the new building, but we're sure they need help also! Their address: 105B N. 1 St., C'ville, 22902.