A half-mile of road opens today in Allen, and Collin County arts officials are ecstatic.

Why?

The four-lane extension of Exchange Parkway bisects the site of the proposed $81 million county arts hall and connects with State Highway 121. Supporters hope the road will draw traffic, raise awareness of the stalled project and invigorate fundraising.

Supporters say they need at least $12 million in private funds to start construction on the 2,100-seat hall, discussed for almost a decade.

"This gives us a lot more exposure," said Mike Simpson, executive director of the Arts of Collin County.

A total of $60 million in public funding has been given to the performance hall by Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Collin County. Backers have raised $9 million in private funds – less than half the target.

But Frisco Mayor Maher Maso said he's not discouraged. Like Simpson, he believes the $4.8 million Exchange Parkway extension, funded by Allen and the county, will help the arts project.

"This is one more step in a number of steps to get us closer to the opening day for the center," Maso said.

Simpson, who preceded Maso as Frisco mayor, took over as head of the arts commission in December. He announced that he hoped to complete fundraising by the end of the year. Now, he's not so sure.

"It was pretty aggressive when you look at this economy," Simpson said.

"I've had a lot of people say as soon as business improves, they'll provide a donation," he said.

The arts commission began concerted fundraising in 2005, targeting gifts of $1 million or more from wealthy individuals, foundations and corporations.

Now, Simpson is undertaking a grass-roots appeal. No contribution is too little, he said. His smallest so far: $1.

"I think Mike [Simpson] is looking at all the different avenues to generate not only interest in the Arts of Collin County, but to raise funds," said Allen City Council member Gary Caplinger.

No firm groundbreaking date has been set for the hall. Simpson said he hopes to begin construction by early 2010 and finish in mid-2012. Those dates have been pushed back several times in recent years.

The dismal economy may benefit the project in one sense, Simpson said. Construction prices have dipped, and he believes the hall could be built now for less than the previous estimate of $85 million.