By Roger Hannigan Gilson Columbia-Greene Media
HUDSON — Supporters of the Hudson Opera House announced Monday they have secured the majority of their funding and are beginning renovations on the historic building.
Built in 1855 on Warren Street as Hudson's City Hall, the opera house was abandoned in 1962. Sections of the opera house were reopened in the 1990s, but the performance hall remained in disrepair until recently.
Supporters said at a press conference Monday morning a renovated opera house will economically benefit the city.
"I never felt arts got enough [credit] for economic development," said Assemblywoman Did Barrett, D-106.
Barrett, whose district includes Hudson, said she is proud to be part of the project.
"People in a season like this have been beating up on government, beating up on the state — but the state has been here for this project," she said.
Hudson Opera House co-Director Tambra Dillion said funding for the restoration came from a series of grants, including millions in grants from Empire State Development, the state's chief economic development agency.
Funding also came from the opera house's Board of Directors, a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture secured by U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand and Kinderhook Bank, as well as other state agencies, according to the Hudson Opera House.
Dillion said the funding was stocked up for a large restoration project, instead of doing the project piecemeal as funding became available.
"The decision was made to consolidate the project, [to] do it in one go," Dillion said.
"It's been a longtime coming," she added.
The opera house is trying to raise an additional $1.5 million on top of the $7 million already raised.
Hudson Opera House Sage General Manager Marie Carter said the $1.5 million would be for soft goods, such as chairs and additional lighting.
"The project's going forward no matter what," she said.
A fundraiser will be held for the opera house at Churchtown Dairy in Churchtown this spring, said Rick Anderson, the building's architect.
The project will primarily restore existing sections of the opera house, though an elevator tower is set to be constructed to make the performance hall more accessible.
New electrical, fire protection and heating-ventilation-air conditioning systems will also be installed in the building and the exterior masonry, doors and windows will be restored, according to the opera house.
Consigli Construction Co. Inc., which has locations in Albany and Pleasant Valley, will handle the restoration.
Restoration projects the company has completed include the Capitol in Albany and Trinity Church in Boston, according to the company's website.
Consigli Construction President Greg Burns said the restorations will begin almost immediately.
The project will create 145 construction jobs, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office.
The opera house Board of Directors President Susan Hendrickson said a $1.3 million grant from Empire State Development, which came through in December 2015, was the piece allowing the project to move ahead.
The restoration will allow the opera house to expand its capability, Dillion said.
"It will allow is to present a level of performance were not able to do right now," she said.
The opera house will not only attract local clientele, Dillion said.
"More and more, artists can't wait to get out of the city," she added.
Collect By;
http://www.registerstar.com/news/article_4be0beda-efbd-11e5-8a8e-13c909613157.html#user-comment-area
0 comments:
Post a Comment