The Granada Theatre could be restored and ready by this fall, Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance President Duane Henrickson told city commissioners Wednesday.
The announcement came after commissioners waived a $5,000 permit fee for the completion of the theater. The permit would cover $1.5 million worth of work, although the plans for that work still need to be approved by the Kansas State Historical Society.
“I speak from the heart today as I did four or five years ago ... that I think this project will be something Emporia will be proud of in the future,” Henrickson said. “I think we’ll be surprised at the different economic development that this project will bring to Emporia and the surrounding area.”
“What is the timeline for completion looking like?” Commissioner Tom Myers asked.
“I think, right now, quite seriously, that we’re looking at the fall of this year,” Henrickson said.
The Granada, an old-style movie palace, originally opened in 1929. The alliance rescued the building from demolition in 1994 and raised $2.8 million for the building’s restoration by the end of 2003. Renovation work on the interior began in 2004.
The alliance received a partial permit about eight weeks ago that allowed it to do work around the stage area. The stage is now nearly completed.
In other action:
• The commission has acquired right-of-way from Dolly Madison and Burger King for a project to relocate the eastbound off-ramp of Interstate Highway 35. The project is meant to make it safer to leave the ramp and turn on to Industrial Road.
• Commissioners approved a $72,496 bid for four new police cars from Longbine Auto Plaza. The cars are Chevrolet Impalas.
• The commission rezoned 1221 W. South Ave., the home of George Rainsbarger, from general commercial (C-3) to light residential (R-1). The home at one time had hosted an auction house. Rainsbarger requested the rezoning to make it easier to sell his house.
• The commission proclaimed Feb. 12 ESU Day, Feb. 19 through Feb. 24 National Trio Week in recognition of the university’s assistance programs to first-generation students, Feb. 20 as Emporia Day, and February as “Project Emporia Month” in recognition of Emporia High School’s canned-food drive.