Rural Historic Theaters Receive Unprecedented $615,000 in Grant Funds for Preservation

As part of our Oregon’s Most Endangered Places program, Restore Oregon combined forces with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to bring an unprecedented grant opportunity to rural historic theaters in Oregon!
Last year, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), which includes the Oregon Main Street Network and the State Historic Preservation Office, received $665,000 as one of only nine grants awarded by the National Park Service for their Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program. This matching grant program was open to rural historic theaters to receive funding  between $15,000 and $100,000. Restore Oregon provided technical assistance with eligibility determinations for the National Register of Historic Places (listing is a requirement of the grant) and the application process.
“For over five years Restore Oregon has been supporting the revival of Oregon’s historic theaters. They are central to the revitalization of Main Street economies and important community cultural centers that connect us with our roots. These grants will be transformational and the impact will benefit generations,” says Peggy Moretti, Executive Director of Restore Oregon.  “We are delighted to be a partner with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office to help facilitate much needed investment in historic theaters across Oregon. Especially rewarding is the long-term impact that our Oregon’s Most Endangered Places program can have on places like the Egyptian Theater, listed in 2011. It is a shining example of how a place can go from endangered to saved through the efforts of dedicated preservationists, creative thinking, and support from Restore Oregon.”
Eight theater projects were selected in this competitive grant process and have been awarded $615,000 in federal grant funding for their preservation projects. The following organizations will be receiving awards:

• Dallas Downtown Association, for roof, masonry, and other repairs on the Dallas Cinema in Dallas.
• Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association, for roof repair on the theatre in Coos Bay. 
• Lakeview Community Partnership, for electrical and lighting repair, fire door replacement, and curtain and rigging work at the Alger Theatre in Lakeview. 
• Little Theater on the Bay, to replace the roof and missing Moorish roof domes on the Liberty Theater in North Bend. 
• Newberg Downtown Coalition, to update seats and acoustical drapes in the auditorium and repair exterior lighting on the Cameo Theatre in Newberg. 
• OK Theatre, to restore façade and store fronts, update the concessions area, and add a bar service area to the theater in Enterprise. 
• Rex Theater, to restore the marquee neon and reader board, paint the exterior, repair the roof and ceiling, and install HVAC in the Theater in Vale.
• The Dalles Main Street Program, to install new fire doors, HVAC, and awnings on the Granada Theatre in The Dalles. 

Funding also covers the cost for the preparation of National Register of Historic Places nominations for four of the theaters not currently listed. These include the Dallas Cinema, Liberty Theatre, Rex Theatre, and Alger Theatre.
“These projects will significantly impact the local communities,” said Chrissy Curran, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. “We are pleased to have been awarded this funding so that we can support local theaters and foster our vibrant rural communities in Oregon.”
As the economic impacts of COVID-19 in Oregon are being felt across the state we’re only just beginning to understand how far and wide the effects will reach. While we unite to help each other through these troubling times it’s important to remember the positive things that are happening around us. Restore Oregon is honored to be part of bringing rural communities an infusion of funds that not only promote the benefits of historic preservation but help bring communities together during troubled times. 
Restore Oregon is also receiving grant funds to continue working with SHPO and grant recipients to provide technical preservation support. We will keep our members updated on the progress of these noteworthy projects! 
Egyptian Theatre Spotlight – One of the very first Most Endangered Places, Class of 2011
The Egyptian Theatre is the cornerstone of the downtown district in Coos Bay. This unique movie theatre has spanned the eras of silent films, talkies, Technicolor and the modern “blockbuster.” Originally built in 1922 as a garage, the building was remodeled in 1925 into a theatre. Architect Carl F. Berg designed the interior and exterior with Revival Egyptian architecture. The theatre is one of only four known Egyptian Revival movie theatres in the United States and one of the best examples of Egyptian Revival on the West Coast. The theatre includes its original Egyptian style décor, light fixtures, furnishings, hand-painted vaudeville flats and a Wurlitzer pipe organ. 
In April 2006, the Egyptian Theatre was purchased by the City of Coos Bay when the owners put it up for sale. The City signed a management agreement with the non-profit Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association (EPTA) to manage and operate the theatre. After the March 2011 earthquake/tsunami, City officials determined that the Egyptian Theatre was not safe for occupancy. The Egyptian was closed March 14, 2011 and not scheduled to reopen until after the appropriate repairs were completed. 
The theatre was nominated to Restore Oregon’s first annual list of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places in 2011. After three years of intense community advocacy, Coos Bay’s beloved Egyptian Theatre shined bright once again. 
At the time of its listing as an Endangered Place, the theatre had only a handful of supporters and very few dollars to back-up the vision of a revitalized downtown gathering space. Starting with a feasibility study for the theatre, funded in part by a Restore Oregon Most Endangered Place seed grant, over a million dollars was raised to resolve structural issues, replace failing systems, and provide for critical restoration inside and out in just three years. On June 20, 2014  the ribbons were cut and the Egyptian opened once again.
By the end of 2015 the Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association had raised the remaining funds needed to complete the last step of the façade restoration plan. By May 2016 installation of the new canopy, the mounting of the new “ETPA logo” marquee, the refurbishment of the Egyptian head pylon sign, decorative painting at the entrance and above the canopy, and the installation of new display cases with LCD TVs was completed.
In 2016, the Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association received a DeMuro Award for Excellence in Preservation, Reuse, and Community Revitalization from Restore Oregon for saving the movie palace and bringing it back to its historic splendor. The ETPA has set the standard for savvy preservation and business planning, with extraordinary community engagement.
By 2019, after a long and astounding list of restoration accomplishments, the priority for the ETPA became installing a new roof. At a project cost around $160,000, the organization will now be able to commence the roof replacement with funds from the Historic Revitalization Subgrant, $10,000 from the Henry Lea Hillman, Jr. Foundation, $20,000 from the Coquille Indian Tribe granting foundation, project support from Waste Connections, Inc and the City of Coos Bay as well as donations of over $12,500 from individuals specifically for the roof project. 
The resounding success of the Egyptian carries with it many lessons applicable to community landmarks across Oregon:
Commission a feasibility study. The first strategic step for Egyptian advocates was to prepare a market feasibility study to demonstrate that a revitalized theatre was viable in Coos Bay. Funded by a seed grant from Restore Oregon, it provided credibility for all future fundraising.
 
Build a “friends of” coalition. Advocates organized under the umbrella of the Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association, a nonprofit through which organization and fundraising could take place. They developed a strategic plan, enlisted skilled board members, and sought training. City staff and volunteers were included every step of the way and the Association made their presence known at fairs, markets, and community events.
 
Ask for outside help. An initial estimate to reopen the Egyptian came in at $3.7 million, a figure far in excess of what community leaders knew was feasible. Restore Oregon referred advocates to consultants and other regional experts to identify ways to bring the price tag down to a level that was manageable.
Money attracts money. Raising large sums of money in a small community can be daunting, especially if the cost seems insurmountable. Lining up city and grant support early in the fundraising process built confidence among local donors and created a snowball that attracted others and momentum grew.
Taking a phased approach avoids biting off more than you can chew. While the Egyptian re-opened in 2014, there was still work to be done. Phasing the rehabilitation allowed the theatre to start generating income and helped grow support within the community.
 
Theater vs. Theatre – What’s the Difference?
Actually, nothing! In most contexts, there is no difference in meaning between theater and theatre. Neither has any special definitions in general usage. The main thing to know is that theater is the preferred spelling in American English, and theatre is preferred virtually everywhere else. We use both in context with the theater/re’s official name.