Grandin Theatre Foundation Receives $50,000 Facade Grant

Grandin FascadeThe historic Grandin Theatre will soon have a new look. Roanoke City’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) has awarded a discretionary grant request for the amount of $50,000 to the Grandin Theatre Foundation. The funds will be used specifically to assist the Foundation in revitalizing the front facade of the Theatre, including new sets of doors that include disability entrance buttons, a new box office centrally located in the front entrance, and new windows above the front entrance.

Since the renovation of the Theatre in 2001-02, the front doors and box office have seen considerable wear and dilapidation. The Theatre identified this issue and addressed it to the EDA as a disruption of commerce, as many individuals in the senior and youth demographics struggle to enter and exit the building.

The project will coincide with the Theatre’s own plan to update the antiquated Point-of-Sale (POS) system, to a new system that will allow patrons to purchase tickets online for the very first time.

“The staff and board of the Theatre are incredibly excited about the opportunity to put a brand new face on this iconic facility, and one that will closely reflect the original facade of the building from 1932,” said Grandin Theatre Foundation Executive Director Ian Fortier.  “As a growing community center, we want our patrons and guests to have ease in moving in and out of the building. The new box office and POS system will have a multitude of ways guests can touch the organization and we are enthusiastic about this upgrade in our capabilities.”

Roanoke’s Economic Development Authority has a history of making occasional discretionary grants to nonprofit organization’s they deem have high economic impact value on the community. Past grant recipients have included Center in the Square, Roanoke Valley Greenways, Taubman Museum, and the CCAP program at Virginia Western Community College.

“The EDA views the Grandin Theatre as the historic anchor and main economic driver for the Grandin Village. Historically, when the Theatre is doing well, businesses surrounding the Theatre are prosperous too. We believe ensuring that the Theatre is healthy and vibrant benefits economic development in both the Grandin Village and the entire Roanoke Valley,” said Braxton Naff, EDA Board Member.

The amount of the grant covers about 78% of the total costs of the project. Private donations and corporate sponsors will be solicited by the Grandin Theatre Foundation Board of Directors to make up the difference.

The work will be completed by the end of April 2016. The Theatre will remain open for business during the construction period, and construction will take place during closed hours.

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