Except stage, interior of Strand will be replaced
By ADAM M. FABIAN
Eagle Staff Writer
ZELIENOPLE — If Ron Carter has his way, the Strand Theater will once again open its doors for events by the end of 2007.
Carter, executive director of the Strand Theater Initiative — the group working to restore the historic Main Street Theater — said he expects work on the building's interior to begin within 90 days.
That work, he said, is the first step in completing the now $4.4 million project to turn the theater into an arts and cultural center.
Carter said the initiative, which recently received the $400,000 grant it was awarded in December 2005, has $1 million to begin the interior renovations.
When completed the theater would be able to host films, speaking events and small group performances on an apron stage, he said.
The plan, Carter said, is to gut the existing building and install the new seating and wiring.
Carter's goal is to replace almost everything inside of the theater except the stage, allowing it to hold events for the first time since the theater closed in the mid-1980s.
"This is our plan the way it stands now," he said.
Other plans include the renovation of the building at 121 N. Main Street next to the theater, an elevator and stairs in the theater, and a multi-purpose room built on the back of the theater.
The theater also may add a parking deck behind its building as well.
The theater's marquee and facade have already been replaced since Carter and the Initiative started working to renovate the theater in 2002.
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