THE ROXY THEATER
A CASE STUDY OF SMALL TOWN CULTURAL REVITALIZATION
As part of our continuing work in the Town of Clendenin, TEA is assisting its client, 25045-A New Clendenin (ANC) in restoring the Roxy Theater, a once beloved community asset. The Roxy Theater is located in the heart of Clendenin’s historic district in northern Kanawha County. For many years it was the entertainment “hub” for people who lived in not only Clendenin, but in southern Roane and Clay counties. As the years passed, the property owner could not afford to make the renovations necessary to keep the building in operations. It closed five years ago. In March, 2009, the owner donated the building to Clendenin’s nonprofit community revitalization group, 25045-A New Clendenin, Inc. It is our client’s intention to renovate the building for use as a local community arts center that will be a venue for a variety of local and regional theatrical, music, dance and film productions, as well as a community venue for workshops, trainings, and seminars.
The building is in need of a complete and total renovation. Everything from the roof, mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing, stage, seating and flooring will be replaced. The façade will be restored to its original art deco design, and new furnishings and theater equipment will be installed. TEA led the process of selecting an architect for the project, and through a competitive bid procedure, Paul D. Marshall Architects and Engineers was selected to design the restoration.
As a first step in stabilizing the building, it was determined that the roof must be replaced. TEA prepared a development grant application to the State Historic Preservation Office and the project was awarded a $61,000 grant. The roof restoration is in process now. Total restoration expenses are estimated at $600,000 and TEA will be working aggressively with its client to secure grants and donations to complete the project.
Restoration of the theater has prompted our client to engage the community in a process to plan for activities and events that will not only showcase local and regional culture, but will engage people of all ages and walks of life. TEA is facilitating the development of a long range plan that leverages regional resources such as Charleston area arts organizations with local artists. The theater is the focal point for staging events, but the enthusiasm for promoting the arts is spilling over into discussions about how businesses and public facilities can be a venue for cultural events.
The Roxy and the Clendenin Middle School (referenced in previous articles), are buildings in transition, and symbolic of Clendenin’s community spirit and desire to brush off its treasured assets and use them as a springboard to the future. TEA is proud to be leading the technical efforts on these exciting projects!