Liberty Theater asks Astoria development commission for $200,000 in urban renewal funding; commissioners agree to place request on Feb. 3 agenda

Jennifer Crockett, executive director of the Liberty Theater, asked the Astoria Development Commission on Jan. 21 for $200,000 in urban renewal funding to complete a $1.74 million exterior renovation ahead of the theater’s 100th anniversary in April.

Crockett said the exterior project addresses seismic cracks, leaking roofs, rotten windows and broken sidewalks and that the organization has raised $1,550,000 through 94 donations and state Main Street program funding. "We need the $200,000 urban renewal ask to help us get over the finish line in time for our next century in April," Crockett said, adding the theater welcomes about 25,000 people annually and that roughly half of patrons come from Portland and Seattle metros.

Commissioner Adams said the commission should respond to Crockett’s formal request, which was submitted in June 2024, and moved to place the request on the Feb. 3 agenda for the Astoria Development Commission to deliberate and potentially approve $200,000 from urban renewal funds. The motion received a second, and a majority of commissioners directed City Manager Spence to publish the Feb. 3 meeting notice and convene as the Astoria Development Commission after the Astoria City Council meeting that day.

Staff and commissioners noted the request will be considered in the context of urban renewal priorities and available district capacity; no funding vote took place on Jan. 21. Crockett was present to answer questions and provided project figures and community-use details for the commission’s review.