DANK Haus German American Cultural Center took the first steps on Tuesday toward securing $1.5 million in city funding for its accessibility goals. The nonprofit, which was founded in 1959, has been located at 4740 N Western Avenue in Lincoln Square since 1967. The building itself dates back to the 1920s and has had little updating since the original build. DANK Haus is hoping to utilize Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to begin a $2.3 million renovation that would include the building’s bathrooms as well as its front entrance. According to executive director Monica Jirak, these renovations would be completed in order to meet American Disability Act standards, as well as to upgrade the building’s aging plumbing. The city’s approval of the initial proposal on Tuesday was the first step in the process to procure TIF funding.