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Council awards $150,000 in tourism funds toward Howell Theatre purchase and restoration
Summary
Historic Smithfield Foundation seeks to buy and restore the Howell Theatre; council approved $150,000 from tourism funds for the down payment and agreed to town representation on the foundation board and Newstville/Neuse Little Theatre having a home base in the restored facility.
The Town of Smithfield council approved a $150,000 allocation from the town's tourism fund to help the Historic Smithfield Foundation secure a down payment for the purchase and restoration of the Howell Theatre.
Oliver Johnson, speaking on behalf of the Historic Smithfield Foundation, told the council the Howell Theatre closed as a movie theater after 90 years and was purchased by Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church on May 13. Johnson said the church offered to sell the property to the foundation if the foundation could come to terms for an alternate property for the church. "Our plans include restoring the theater to its original floor plan... we have a preliminary goal of…
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