December 11, 2011

By Corinne Kennedy

The Center Project celebrated its move to St. James Street with a grand re-opening Saturday night.

The project used to be located on East Ash Street, according to its website, but board member Charles Dunlap said it had to relocate due to a rise in rent at its previous location.

The Center Project is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally community space that formed in 2003 when the local community began to express a desire for a community center. The Center Project opened in its first location in May 2009 and remained there until moving to its current location.

At the grand re-opening, chili was served and board members spoke about volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved with the organization.

“Community involvement is lower than it has been,” Dunlap said. “We’re hoping to bring it back up.”

Dunlap said they hope to increase involvement in the project though various activities such as the transgender blender and white elephant party.

“We’re here for all members of the community,” Dunlap said. “We’re about being involved in the community and being visible.”

The Center Project was formed because there was a need for a safe space where people could meet and socialize. There was also a lot of influence taken from the Matthew Shepard killing, Dunlap said.

Fellow board member Dustin Hampton echoed Dunlap’s sentiment.

“Nothing like this existed at the time,” Hampton said. “We needed a safe space for gay, lesbian, transgender, questioning, everyone.”

Hampton, the only sitting board member to have also been on the original board, said the variety between the board members is what makes The Center Project so special.

“We have such a wide range of personalities and life experiences on the board,” Hampton said. “It makes the center very open and welcoming.”

The Center Project can now be found at 300 Saint James St. Suite 104, at [thecenterproject.org](http://thecenterproject.org), or on Facebook at [facebook.com/thecenterproject](http://www.facebook.com/thecenterproject).

**Correction appended:** We originally published that the new location for the Center Project was on James St. It is located on St. James St. The Maneater regrets the error.