Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capitol Theatre Cip topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Capitol Theatre overhaul moves to phased design and funding plan; city to review task orders
Summary
City and Capitol Theatre leaders outlined a multi‑phase capital improvement approach, including a predesign RFQ for an architect, possible use of public facility district funds, and an estimated multi‑phase cost of at least $12 million; no council action was requested tonight.
City staff and representatives of the Capitol Theatre described a multi‑year plan for capital improvements at the downtown Capitol Theatre and asked the council for general concurrence on a phased approach that will be presented over coming meetings.
Bill Preston, the city’s community development director, said staff intend to issue a master agreement with an architectural firm to perform a predesign stage that will define scope and level of effort for specific tasks — façade work, seating, fourth‑street balcony, technical systems and other items. Preston said the predesign will support subsequent task orders and that project sequencing will depend on available funding sources, donations and grant schedules.
Charlie Robbins, executive director of the Capitol Theatre Committee (the nonprofit that operates the venue for the city), said the initiative is timed around anniversaries: Aug. 11 marks the 50th anniversary of the fire that devastated the building and the approach ties into statewide capital funding schedules. Robbins said the theatre has completed a year‑long feasibility study and has secured interest from state legislators and other potential funders.
Preston said some Public Facilities District funds and a catastrophic reserve are available to support early predesign work, but not to pay for the entire program. Robbins told council he expects a full multi‑phase restoration — front, back, center, and technical upgrades — to run “nothing less than $12,000,000” across five to six years, depending on funding.
Council members asked for clarification about which phases would be priorities and how the work would be budgeted. City staff said each task order will be brought forward with a funding scenario and that the engineering office will manage billing and agreements consistent with other capital improvement projects.
Robbins stressed that technical upgrades are a priority to keep the theatre competitive for pre‑tour technology packages and larger touring productions; he cited recent successes bringing pre‑tour tech and shows that would not otherwise visit the region.
No formal council vote or appropriation was requested tonight. Staff said they will return with an agreement for the predesign work and with individual task orders and funding plans for council consideration at future meetings.
