STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — The Grand Theater auditorium restoration is part of a nearly $54 million award package which could bring jobs and help the performing arts in coal impacted communities such as Steubenville, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas.
The Steubenville Historic Landmarks Foundation was awarded $1.5 million by the Appalachian Regional Commission to help with the restoration of the theater, located on South Fourth Street in Steubenville.
“It is the biggest grant we have received yet,” said Scott Dressel, president and lead volunteer for the Steubenville Historic Landmarks Foundation. “We have had many, but of all of the ones we have had, it is the first one anywhere near this size. It, along with two other smaller grants that we are receiving this year, will allow us to almost gut the theater inside.”
The grant will help refurbish damaged walls and ceiling.
“It has a very ornamental ceiling like Heinz Hall or Benedum in Pittsburgh, just way smaller,” Dressel said. “And, so, that needs a lot of work because it was damaged by water. This will actually help finish the ceiling and then the walls as well. We will put all new studs in, new drywall and new ornamental plaster on that and then the underside of the balcony should get done as well, which that whole ceiling was removed because it was all damaged so all of that should be replaced.”
The Grand Theater closed in 1979, and the restoration project began in 2010. This grant is a big step forward, but Dressel said there is much more work that needs to be done that this grant will not cover.
“Probably another $3 million to beginning to done, even after this grant is done,” Dressel said. “It is sort of hard to say right now with the way construction costs are really going up in the last few months, so but we still have an elevator to do, we have a full fire suppression system to put in.
The marquee and sign above are gone which needs to be replaced. That is like $700,000. So, there are still a few big-ticket items left, but this will really move us forward.
Dressel hopes this grant will cover enough construction to at least allow them to open more than just the lobby and office.
“Maybe it will let us use it some just for an occasional event rather than just being open on a regular basis,” Dressel said.
Donations are still needed to pay for water, electric and gas bills that these grants are not allowed to be used for. If you are interested in donating, tap or click here.