Frisco's former mayor said he hopes small donations will help make up a budget shortfall for a proposed performing arts complex in Allen.
Mike Simpson is back in Frisco's City Council chambers, meeting and greeting, campaigning and fundraising for a regional campus for the arts.
"This is one of the most exciting things I've ever been involved in," Simpson said.
He said funding for the Arts of Collin County is almost $20 million short.
"We've got $57 million from the three cities total, $3 million from the county and another $7 to $8 million in private donations," Simpson said.
Simpson said he'll take a page from President-elect Barack Obama's campaign and ask for people's pocket change -- "less than a cheeseburger a week or less than a latte a week."
Simpson said he will continue to push for big-money donors, but will also do some online and face-to-face fundraising.
He said the county arts campus is a one-of-a-kind project between Allen, Plano and Frisco.
The Arts of Collin County would have a performance hall, an outdoor park and walking trails set on 124 acres just south of State Highway 121 near Custer Road.
"When we build the hall, it's going to be for everybody, something in it for everybody in this area," he said.
