The Holyoke Historical Commission on Jan. 13 heard an update from Mary Nastasi, a historic consultant with Ryan LLC, on rehabilitation plans for the Victory Theatre at 81–89 Suffolk Street and asked staff to gather documentation on recent work before providing a renewed letter of support.

The Victory Theatre, constructed in 1919–20 and designed by the Boston firm Mowell and Rand, is the last remaining Broadway-style theater between Boston and Albany, Nastasi said. “The project already has part 2 approval from both the Mass Historic Commission and the National Park Service,” she said, and the current scope calls for restored and historically appropriate wood-sash windows, storefront restoration on the Suffolk Street elevation, a two-story rear addition for offices and support spaces, a new marquee resembling the historic marquee and extensive interior reconstruction with ADA and code updates.

Commissioners said the project’s long timeline and recent visible activity around the site prompted requests for better documentation. “We didn't get a very good response [from the building department], and so I think, just sort of from my perspective, there's a lot of unknowns around this project,” Vice Chair Zayisha Robert said. “I would like to sort of explore a little with the building department and hopefully get some answers.”

Nastasi said costs have risen over the roughly 15-year effort and the project team will be restarting tax-credit applications to secure additional funding. She offered to provide updated photos and clarified project details and agreed to return to the commission as a formal agenda item in February. The commission asked staff to check with the city building department about work that has already occurred and any permits or code-related questions, and to provide a fuller record before the commission issues new support.

The commission did not vote on a letter or take formal action on approvals at the Jan. 13 meeting; instead members scheduled the project for a fuller agenda slot on Feb. 10 so staff and applicants can provide requested documentation.