Despite swelling costs, a local group of investors is pushing forward with a plan to renovate the former Avalon Theater in uptown Marysville. The group has been approved for non-profit status as Marysville Uptown Theater, LLC, and can now prepare a fundraising campaign. Above, one of the screens of the former theater is in pretty poor shape now, but owners are going to seek community input on ways to breath new life into the building. Below, the lobby is not much to look at now, but investors promise to create a lively, new attraction, that tips its cap to the nostalgia of the original Avalon Theater. (Journal-Tribune photos by Will Channell)
Local theater renovation group moving ahead with tedious effort; prepares for fundraising
Residents who are excited to have a theater in town again will have to wait to get their film fix.
According to those involved in the project, it all depends on how the work progresses from here. Since the building is so old, setbacks could come up.
“We would love to open in two years or less,” said Elizabeth Mosser, who’s coordinating the project to restore the Uptown Theater. “Whether that’s even possible will depend on the fund raising… how quickly things can be done.”
Last year, the State of Ohio earmarked about $300,000 for the project, which at that time was estimated to cost about $1.5 million. The project aims to restore the theater to its original art deco style and call it the Avalon Theater, a name it had early in its history.
She said the cost of stabilizing the building will likely be about $250,000. With the figure in mind, they now have a general idea of how much money they need to raise. They said they’re not sure of a total updated cost for the project yet, but are hoping it comes in at less than $2 million.
Mosser said last month that the group received final approval for non-profit status for Marysville Uptown Theater, LLC. The organization can now receive the property and funds for the project from the Union County Development Fund, as well as begin raising funds.
She said when they were waiting for approval, the group hired advisory group OHM to assess the property’s needs. They’ve also gotten permission from the city and county to begin pumping water out of the basement, which will likely start within a month.
Mosser said work on the structural integrity of the building will hopefully begin soon. She said they’ve hired a third party to assess the structural quality of the building, and it’s better than they had expected.
“I think we’re in good shape to start,” she said. “Once we get through the dehumidification process of the building, then we’ll be moving into the abatement process.”
A hazardous materials check came back relatively positive as well, with only a bit of lead paint and asbestos.
“It’s not as bad as we were hearing,” she said.
The next step, she said, is giving OHM a “wish list” from the local group. Project manager Dennis Schulze said the company is looking to get community input on the project.
“The easier thing is (to say) ‘okay, let’s just throw in a couple of screens and show movies,’” he said. “But that’s not the benefit to the community the way that it needs to be.”
Mosser said the organization needs to figure out what it can do to make a theater that will support itself. This could involve other services aside from films, including live productions and events.
The organization also hopes to preserve the historic quality of the structure. Mosser said they have “a few minor pieces of memorabilia,” and Schulze said they are asking the public to donate any artifacts they might have.
As for fundraising, the organization is looking to focus on grant writing and possibly allowing residents to purchase naming rights for certain parts of the theater. Between that and various large and small events, Mosser said fundraising for the theater will be “widespread.”
Mosser said the group is lucky so many people are excited for the project. They’re hoping to begin putting together various committees for different parts of the project and have seen many residents express interest.
“We’re just keeping names and keeping tabs on who has said that,” she said.