The owner of the Crown Theatre got a boost toward his renovation costs from the city of Crown Point.
The Redevelopment Commission at its Monday night meeting voted 5-0, with member Tom Keilman absent, to award Brad Strom $40,000 out of its $100,000 facade grant budget so Strom can continue the work on the theater. He told the commission recent progress has gotten him closer to his goal of restoring the facade to its early 1900s glory.
“We started removing the wood (from the front of the building) and found it was mostly rotted,” Strom said. “We’ve exposed all the original brick and are going to restore the awesome look of the terra cotta.”
The original building facade had two large doors and two windows on the bottom level, behind one of which housed a doctor’s office. Strom said family of that doctor’s sent him pictures and artifacts that he’ll incorporate into the interior.
But with the renovation costing a minimum of $240,000 for both the interior and exterior, Strom said he could use some support.
Planning Administrator Anthony Schlueter said Strom would be eligible for $25,000 from the city but recommended an extra $15,000. Commissioner Carol Drasga supported the addition.
“I think the theater is a critical piece of our downtown, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable,” she said.
Drasga asked whether there will be a movie projector. Strom said there will be, but it won’t be a digital projector because of expense.
“We’re doing everything the right way,” Strom said.
In other business, the commission voted 5-0 to approve a five-year, $5 million bond anticipation warrant for work on Bulldog Park. City financial consultant Greg Guerrettaz said setting up the financing that way would allow the city to pay off the warrant in full in five years; but if the city decided there was another project that also needed attention, it could make a bond issue for the remaining balance to free up cash.
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Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.