Emery Theatre grant application approved

Cincinnati City Council has authorized city manager Milton Dohoney Jr. to apply for a $20,000 National Park Service Certified Local Government subgrant on behalf of Emery Center Corporation to restore the restrooms at Over-the-Rhine's Emery Theatre.

If the application is approved, Emery Center Corporation will administer the subgrant funds and will provide a $15,000 local match.

Grant awardees are expected to be announced by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office in May.

Built in 1911 and vacant since 1999, Emery Center Corporation soon plans to begin fundraising efforts to restore the building's orchestra level and first balcony, opening up about 1,100 seats for medium-sized shows and benefits.

Cost estimates for the first phase are $3 million.

A second phase would open the second balcony's 500 seats, a project the non-profit hopes to complete in time for the building's 100th anniversary in 2011.

Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati considering grant application for Emery Theatre (3/24/09)