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North Bend School District eyes purchase of downtown theatre for district performing‑arts center
Summary
School leaders presented a facility assessment and funding approach for acquiring and renovating the historic Port (Ford) Theatre. Administrators said an offer of $630,000 was drafted, contingent on sale of district property and inspections; renovation estimates range into the low millions.
The North Bend School District on Nov. 13 presented plans to acquire and renovate a downtown historic theatre as a district performing‑arts center, describing the purchase as a one‑time capital trade rather than a general‑fund expense.
Superintendent (speaking during the meeting) said the district has prepared an offer of $630,000 for the theatre, but emphasized the offer would be contingent on the sale of the Viking Lane property, satisfactory inspection reports and formal board approval. “We put together an offer for 630,000, and that’s the number that I feel confident with because it leaves us a little bit of wiggle room with the Viking Lane property,” the superintendent said during the presentation.
Joe Slack, an architect with HG Architects, presented a facility assessment and concept sketches for converting the building from its movie‑theatre configuration to a working performing‑arts venue. Slack said the structure appears sound and the roof drains well, but that the building lacks backstage support spaces such as dressing rooms, green rooms and accessible restrooms. He described options to expand seating from an existing count just under 340 seats to preliminary schemes ranging roughly from the low‑ to mid‑300s, noting tradeoffs between backstage depth and audience capacity.
Slack also highlighted code and accessibility considerations: preserving the building’s assembly use could avoid a number of costly change‑of‑use code triggers, but the district will need to provide ADA access, companion seating, upgraded restrooms and possibly sprinklers to gain necessary code relief.
Administrators and a local real‑estate consultant discussed financing approaches. The board was told that by trading or selling a district parcel (Viking Lane) and applying other capital resources the district expects to avoid general‑fund impacts. One meeting participant estimated that fully outfitting the theatre — construction, stage gear and furnishings — could push total project costs into the low millions, and several speakers described the project as a long‑term investment to benefit students and the wider community.
Superintendent and staff framed the purchase as an opportunity to create a legacy performing‑arts venue that could host school performances, competitions and community events, and generate revenue. No final purchase contract was signed at the meeting; administration said it will bring any finalized offer back to the board for approval.
Next steps: architects will refine cost estimates and schematic options; administration will pursue property‑sale and funding actions outlined in the meeting packet and return to the board with firm purchase terms and inspection results.
