Ownership of the Elks Building was officially transferred to a developer planning to establish a neon sign museum there at a ceremony April 3.  The Dalles City Council, acting in its capacity as the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency Board, approved purchasing the building for 240-thousand dollars and then turning it over to developer David Benko, whose group agreed to do an estimated one million dollars of improvements to the new building within two years to get the museum open.  Mayor Steve Lawrence and Benko signed the agreements for the deal on the steps of the building on Third and Court in downtown The Dalles.  Lawrence notes the building will house more than the museum, but also house other business space.  A fundraiser that’s been involved with the Portland Art Museum will be involved in generating funds for this project.