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Grand Theater Project reports fundraising progress, lists asbestos abatement as top challenge
Summary
Julia Tread Crawford updated the council on the Grand Theater Project’s first year of activity, listing board members, outreach, fundraising events and a need to address costly asbestos abatement before larger rehabilitation can proceed.
Julia Tread Crawford briefed the council on the Grand Theater Project's year of activity and fundraising work, telling the council the group has built a volunteer board, launched a website and staged public outreach to raise visibility and small donations.
"We have people stepping up saying, what can I do?" Crawford said, recounting volunteer offers including a master craftsman who "said, I'll come swing a hammer for you." She listed board members and community partners involved in marketing and design work and said the group has been active at downtown events, including Paris Fest and NetFest.
Crawford said the project is looking at a range of funding options "whether it's big federal grants ... or small local facade grants," and identified asbestos abatement inside the theater as the project's biggest immediate expense. She described smaller incremental projects that could be started while larger funding is pursued, and asked the council for continued support.
Council thanked the group for its work and accepted a rent check Crawford said she brought to the city clerk. Crawford invited council members to upcoming fundraisers, including a GLOW Golf event on Oct. 5 and a by‑invitation fundraiser on Oct. 17.
Next steps: the Grand Theater Project will continue outreach and fundraising and report back on grant applications and phased remediation planning.
