02.16.2009
Theater reborn as feast for eyes near Downtown
Lincoln Theatre's restoration nears end ahead of opening in May; project-cost gap is concern
By Mike Pramik - THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Standing on the balcony of the Lincoln Theatre, it's tempting to look up, rather than toward the stage.

The theater's vivid ceiling seems almost as much a work of art as the performances that promise to originate from the theater platform on Memorial Day weekend. It took 1,200 hours to re-create the ceiling's original design, an example of the painstaking detail with which the 1920s-era historic theater is being renovated.

Once the heart of the King-Lincoln District, the theater at 771 E. Long St. could become the linchpin of that neighborhood's revitalization. It's about 80 percent completed, said Todd Bemis, chief operating officer for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.

But before it can be completed, it must be paid for. Originally budgeted at $11 million, the project's price tag has risen to $13.5 million because of additions as well as unforeseen construction costs. Columbus recently proposed that it cover a $2.3 million shortfall with money in its capital budget as CAPA strives to increase its contribution with a seat-naming venture.

The Lincoln's rebirth is being closely watched by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, who said he drops by about every 10 days for a progress report.

Standing on the balcony, a $1 million addition, Coleman said additional costs were necessary to create a world-class venue. "The balcony transforms the project from mundane to excellent," Coleman said. "Columbus deserves excellent."

The budget request needs the City Council's approval, and Councilman Andrew Ginther said the earliest that would happen is a week from today. Ginther requested more time for the council to review the request, and he said he hopes to tour the theater this week.

"It's a very exciting project but we need to make sure that we're doing our homework and due diligence, and (make sure) that everything is in order," he said.

Amid the funding quandary, CAPA and the Lincoln Theatre Association opened the doors of the venue last week to provide a glimpse of what has been done.

The theater is a feast for the eyes. In addition to taking in the ornate ceiling, patrons will be treated to a stage flanked by four columns decorated in Egyptian Revival styling. That theme also is carried out in the theater's proscenium arch, which frames the stage.

Workers overseen by the Quandel Group of Harrisburg, Pa., were busy last week. The contractor inherited a mostly empty shell in the theater building. Although there were remnants of the old stage, they were not usable, said senior project manager Todd Cooper.

Both the arch and the four columns have been painstakingly reproduced to historical standards, each column representing 80 hours of painting work.

Painting the ornate ceiling took much longer. Those workers used scaffolding to reach the top as well as a walkway above the ceiling that will be used to adjust stage lighting.

Coffer beams made of drywall were added to the ceiling as decorative accents to match what is shown in historical photos of the theater.

The renovation has required a lot of time and attention to detail, Cooper said.

"For us, each project is unique and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he said. "It's been a privilege to work here."

The renovation includes a 12,000-square-foot addition that will serve as the main entrance. The addition will include a box office, a concession area, restrooms and offices. The historical lobby is being converted into meeting space.

The addition was not an easy engineering feat, Cooper said. It includes five roof elevations and required the construction of a serpentine wall as an artistic divider. The wall is made partly of structural concrete and partly of metal studs and drywall covered by a synthetic stucco product.

Unexpected or complicated engineering feats are common during theater renovations, said Herb Stratford, with Historic Theatre Consultants. The Arizona consultancy helped organize the restoration of the 1,300-seat Fox Tucson Theatre, which reopened Dec. 31, 2005, after a six-year renovation.

The cost was $13 million. It was paid for, Stratford said, using "a whole bunch of resources" that included federal, state and city grants, as well as federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits and New Markets Tax Credits.

"From a business model, a private individual would never get the return from a historical theater that you would get in a different kind of business," Stratford said.

Although many renovations of historic theaters have some municipal involvement, they're often not successful as financial enterprises, he said.

"A lot of these (owners) spend time and energy getting the building open, then once it's open, it's a completely different thing," he said. "Now we're operating the building that's competing with others, and you have a staff to feed. Overnight, you go from one business to another."

Yet Bemis said the Lincoln Theatre will be operating at high efficiency from Day One. CAPA says the Lincoln is 70 percent booked for the first year.

In addition to the theater, the Lincoln has a second-floor ballroom that recently was updated with a hardwood floor that is "sprung" to better serve the dance groups that will use it. The space also can be rented for meetings and social events.

The third floor will be the site of the Jazz Academy, which will include rehearsal and instructional rooms, a recording lab and education space for music technology. It will be run by the Jazz Arts Group, a nonprofit organization that teaches jazz and organizes performances. It oversees the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, for example, which presents dozens of concerts annually at the Southern Theatre.

"We want to expand jazz and American music in all its forms to a new generation," said Carol Argiro, director of education programs for the Jazz Academy.

Meanwhile, other area projects already are providing the King-Lincoln District with a shot in the arm.

Two coffee shops have opened in the area, one of them in the Gateway Building, a 42,500-square-foot office and retail structure built in 2005 across from the theater. Outside the building is a sculpture that pays homage to Columbus' jazz roots.

Columbus Development Director Boyce Safford said last week that the city wants to rehab two buildings at Long and 17th streets as part of the area's revitalization.

Coleman said it's time for better things for the King-Lincoln District, and the theater's opening will really set things in motion.

"Boarded-up and vacant buildings were the standard," Coleman said. "I said that was unacceptable.

"For years, we've been hearing, 'You can't change this neighborhood.'

"I said, 'Yes, we can.' "

Mike Pramik covers development for The Dispatch. Contact him at mpramik@dispatch.com or by fax at 614-461-5107.

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