WHEELING - Efforts to fully restore the Capitol Theatre got a $200,000 boost Monday, thanks to U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd and the federal "Save America's Treasures" program.
"We have been working on this for more than a year. ... We are very excited to receive this," said Hydie Friend, executive director of the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp.
Friend and others have said they need roughly $3.3 million over a number of years to complete the Capitol project.
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U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., has secured $200,000 for repairs at Wheeling’s Capitol Theatre.
Byrd - the senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee - included the funding in the Fiscal 2010 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. President Obama signed the bill into law Friday.
"Anyone who has ever been to the Capitol Theatre knows what a gem it is, as well as its role as an anchor for a revitalized downtown Wheeling," the senator states in a news release. "I was pleased to be able to secure funding to help in this significant restoration effort."
Currently, the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau owns the Capitol, with the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority tasked with operating the facility. Including the $615,000 purchase price, about $1.75 million has been spent to re-open and operate the historic 1928 theatre since the CVB acquired it from LiveNation earlier this year.
This $200,000, combined with the $396,000 in Community Development Block Grant Money that members of Wheeling City Council directed to the Capitol earlier this year, means $596,000 worth of federal money has been used at the theater so far. With the $396,000 going toward handicap-accessible restrooms, Friend said the $200,000 will be used to "ensure the envelope of the building is weatherproof."
"It will be used to secure the building from weather," she said, noting the money will go toward repairing the terra cotta facade and roof. She said work should begin in spring or summer.
"That is exciting," Entertainment authority Executive Director Dennis Magruder said upon learning of the $200,000 grant. "We will be able to do some great things with this."
One project on the immediate to-do list calls for spending $450,000 to construct a new fire escape in the southwest corner of the building, just off the stage.
Other future plans include spending $270,000 for electrical, plumbing and HVAC upgrades; $366,000 for digital sound, video and lighting upgrades; $92,000 for a cinema screen projector with Dolby sound; $400,000 for ballroom upgrades; $400,000 for roof and facade repairs; $300,000 for historic paintings and finishes; $350,000 for a new roof; $222,000 for exterior masonry wall corrections; $786,000 to re-upholster or replace seats; and $150,000 to install an elevator connecting the main floor to the ballroom.
But Friend stressed these plans are part of a "long-term project."
"We are going to continue applying for grants and seek additional sources of funding," she said.