Friends of theater raise $419,000 for restoration
Laurel Brady, President, FOTT
It may not be obvious as you pass by the old theater on Van Horne Street,
but the Friends of the Tybee Theater (FOTT) have been busy this winter
working toward the goal of bringing an active performing arts center to our
community. What's new, you ask?
First, the money (that's what everybody really wants to know). Well,
with the addition of the SPLOST funds approved as part of the city's capital
improvement request, our total raised, in cash and pledges, is $419,091!
And when we add in the estimated cost of in-kind donations (heating
and air, electrical, plumbing, etc.), we move up to an amazing $607,591!
Not bad for just over a year's efforts, don't you think?
A licensed engineering firm completed a structural analysis of the
building last year. The building was determined to be structurally sound
and our goal to rebuild the existing structure feasible. Working with Eric
Meyerhoff, Cullen Chambers has prepared a request for proposals and scope of
work document to seek architectural bids from those experienced in
historical and theatrical renovations. Eric, a well-known local architect,
has been instrumental in the design and building of a wide variety of both
residential and commercial projects, many of which involved historical
restoration. He is volunteering his time and experience.
Along with the funds required to purchase the building from the Tybee Island
Historical Society, the roof of the building is the greatest priority of the
FOTT.
The stabilization and repair of the roof must be the first major
component of the structure to be addressed in order to prevent further
structural deterioration and damage to the inside. The roof repair and
replacement alone is estimated to cost over $250,000, so we still have a lot
of work to do. We need to leverage our pledges and promises and secure
enough cash to begin this initial stage as soon as possible.
Cullen Chambers, Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, has been
integrally involved with FOTT. As the key man responsible for the
restoration of the Tybee Lighthouse and the lightkeeper's cottages, he
understands the legwork that gets done behind the scenes and before any
actual construction is started on such a project.
"Sometimes the most substantial steps are the subtle ones. We have
very quietly raised significant funds to enable us to provide matches to
other funding sources," he said.
We have been getting many questions about continuing our summer
movies. This is very gratifying to our group and really speaks to the need
for family entertainment on the island, one of our major reasons for doing
what we are doing. The 2003 summer movie series to benefit FOTT will begin
May 17th . Movies will be shown on the lawn of the Tybee Lighthouse the
third Saturday of each month throughout the season. Features will include
Monsters, Inc., Ghostbusters, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Raiders of
the Lost Ark. All movies will begin as soon as it is dark enough for
viewing, usually about 30 minutes after sunset. Please feel free to bring
your lawn chairs and blankets, picnics and coolers, friends and family. No
pets will be allowed. And don't forget the bug spray! A $5.00 donation is
requested, except by those under the age of three.
We are already working on, and very excited about, our annual
September event. This year we are partnering with the Coastal Jazz
Association to present a "Big Band Bash" at the pavilion! Big band returns
to Tybee for a night of food, drink, music and dancing under the stars on
Saturday, September 20th. This event will kick off the Savannah Jazz
Festival and is sure to bring in a crowd from around the country, so be sure
to buy your tickets early. Watch for more details here in the Tybee News.
If you'd like to get involved in the Friends of the Tybee Theater or
volunteer to help with our events, please feel free to give one of our core
committee members a call. They are Cullen Chambers, Cindy Meyer, Harriet
Simmons, Susie Morris, Lawanna Tsoulos, Gloria Bennett, Barry Finch, Sue
Gouse, and Shirley Sessions. I look forward to hearing from you.
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