Second-floor gallery opens in DeKalb's Nehring Center

DeKALB - A year ago, it was no more than long-vacant office space in the heart of a downtown that had seen better days. But while DeKalb's oldest business district may still have some empty storefronts and trouble attracting steady foot traffic in an increasingly mall-dominated region, the renovation of the second floor of the Nehring Center for Culture and Tourism into gallery space is another sign of hope for the downtown. In an invitation-only event Thursday, the gallery opened with an exhibit of work by Midwestern photographers. The public will be able to get its first look at the gallery, located at 164 E. Lincoln Highway, in open houses from 6-8 p.m. today and Saturday. "Bringing this building back to life has the potential to revital