Pallas says theater plans progressing

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

PALLAS

Efforts to obtain the old Park Theater building are moving forward, Park Theatre Group Chair Pam Pallas told members of the Rotary Club of McMinnville as the featured guest speaker Thursday.

Pallas told Rotary members the group has grown from 12 members to about 60 presently interested in theater revitalization efforts. She gave members an overview of what has occurred to date.

The Park Theater Group was formed last summer after Main Street McMinnville learned theater owner Jerry Williamson wanted to sell the building. The group wanted to know how feasible it was to restore the building, toured other theaters and then joined the League of Historic American Theatres, which sent an architect to McMinnville in December.

Costs of renovation are estimated at between $350,000 and $1.2 million, but group members do not expect local government help with renovation costs.

Group members hope to establish an operating agreement with the city, with the city most likely leasing the building to the group. The purpose is to provide entertainment such as live theater, musical performances, provide a creative outlet to area youth, restore the historical structure and make a positive economic statement in the community.

City leaders received a property appraisal this week that estimated its market value at about $269,000. The proposal between the city and Williamson is for the city to trade property recently offered for $160,000 plus $40,000 in cash for the building.