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Last of grant money may go to marquee, entrance renovation


By EDWARD HUSAR

Quincy Herald Whig (Illinois)


November 17, 2008


The Quincy City [Illinois] Council tonight will consider a proposal to award a $233,274 contract to Waterkotte Construction to renovate the Washington Theater's marquee and entrance.

This action will use up virtually all remaining grant money given to the Washington Theater Redevelopment Commission and will set the stage for launching a major fund drive within the next year.

"I'm so excited about it," said Rochelle Busbey, the commission's chairman.

"This is the first in a long series of renovations that we have to do to the theater. We're going to use up all of our money doing this, which is the idea. But we have to use this grant money. Then, once this is done, I hope people will see that it's worth doing. And then when we start our fundraising, I hope it will go easier."

Some years ago the city received a $233,537 federal grant and $500,000 in Illinois FIRST money to help finance some of the initial redevelopment costs for the city-owned theater at 431-433 Hampshire.

Just about all the Illinois FIRST money has been spent for various roof and structural improvements in recent years. Now the city now must use -- or lose -- the federal funds, which are earmarked specifically for "bricks and mortar" purposes.

Waterkotte's bid for the marquee and entryway work came in at $250,649. So $17,375 worth of improvements will be deducted from the project so the $233,274 final cost will be covered in full by the remaining grant dollars.

The project will require taking down the deteriorated marquee and using it as a pattern to rebuild the structure. In addition, three electronic digital message boards will be installed on the front and both sides of the marquee. The 26-inch-high message boards -- 20 feet wide in the front and 10 feet wide on each side -- will be used to promote upcoming events at the theater once the building's interior is restored to working condition.

The project also will involve some work around the theater's entryway. This will include replacing all the small light bulbs in the exterior terra-cotta tiles that form an arch pattern over the entryway.

Busbey said once these renovations are made, the commission will begin formulating plans for a fund drive to begin "within the next year."

Restoring the theater to a level recommended by a Texas architectural consultant would require raising at least $10 million. Busbey said commissioners feel they will need to hire a professional fund-raiser to undertake such a massive campaign.

"We're going to have to raise money just to hire a fund raiser," she said.

However, Busbey feels this effort would be worthwhile because of the benefits of restoring the former vaudeville theater, which she said would fill a niche in Quincy by providing a performance venue for events seating between 750 and 1,000 people.

"I think it would be so phenomenal to fix our theater up," Busbey said. "Anything we can do, I'm all for it."



November 2008 News