Lots of gold still needed to light up silver screen
The Tennessean• May 21, 2008
FRANKLIN — With a gift of $1 million waiting in the wings and the potential for even more on the way, representatives of Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County say renovation of Franklin Theatre might be under way later this year.
To be sure, formidable challenges remain before the 70-year-old Main Street cinema can be reopened — namely, raising between $4 million and $6 million just to retrofit the now-empty building into a modern, state-of-the-art performance space. Even more would be needed to pay for operations once work is completed.
Despite the challenges, Franklin's top elected and business leaders are lining up to support a project that's drawn architectural firms' interest and remains a popular local cause though a movie hasn't played on its old screens since 2007.
"People come by and stop every day, (saying) 'When's the next movie starting?' " said Marty Ozburn, a local general contractor overseeing the theater's interior demolition. "We're getting a lot of response."
The Heritage Foundation bought the building with the intent to renovate it into a multi-use performance theater. The extent of any restoration, however, is intertwined with how much money can be raised.
"There is so much you could . . . bring to this project and the more money you have, the more you can bring to it," the foundation's executive director, Mary Pearce, said. "We want to make sure that money is spent wisely."
If all goes smoothly, Ozburn estimates that designing and renovating the building would take about year. That would mean a new Franklin Theatre could open in the early summer of 2009.
As it stands, the Heritage Foundation has about $3.2 million on hand for Franklin Theatre expenses, said President David Garrett, who made the announcement last week during the foundation's annual preservation awards ceremony.
Thus far, the project's biggest supporters include former Dollar General CEO Cal Turner and a volunteer at the foundation who answers phones in the office.
Turner made a million-dollar challenge to find a matching gift to support the project. That taker was volunteer Emily Magid, 61, who can be found answering phones and doing other volunteer work at the foundation's office each week.
Magid agreed to forgive the million-dollar loan she made anonymously last year that allowed the foundation to purchase the 70-year-old Franklin Cinema.
"I'm really delighted to have the opportunity to give back to this community," Magid said after the meeting. "I've only provided the foundation on which they could begin the reconstruction of something that seemed to be a beloved part of their lives."
She described herself as someone who prefers the focus stay on the theater and the community and not on her own work. "I'm just a harmonious bagwoman with jewelry," Magid said.
Meantime, Mayor John Schroer, one of the project's earliest supporters, is meeting with Nissan Motor Co. officials to help the effort as well.
"I'm asking for a lot of money," Schroer said of Nissan. "I asked them for a sizable contribution. . . . If Nissan does what I've asked them to, they won't need to go to anyone else."
Julie Lawless, a Nissan spokeswoman, confirmed the discussions and said Schroer's proposal is still being evaluated.
Said Schroer: "So far, they haven't said no."
Schroer called renovating the project "one of the most important in downtown Franklin." But the mayor does not want Franklin taxpayers to cover the project's cost through a contribution from the city.
"If the city's going to put money in it, the city's going to want to have control over it," Schroer said. "I don't think the city should have any control over what goes on in that theater."
Architects vie for project
Even as the money is being raised, foundation officials still must decide which architecture firm will oversee the project.
Three firms — Hastings Architecture Associates LLC, Street Dixon Rick Architecture and Studio 8 Design — made pitches of rough, conceptual plans and presentations of their credentials.
None of the firms' presentations offered specific details about the building's final appearance yet. An announcement about which firm will get approval from the foundation will likely be made this week.
"We feel it is right up our alley," Street Dixon Rick architect Baird Dixon said. "We think this is a project that only enhances the community." His firm envisions dining tables on a restored balcony inside the theater as well as an elevator and a cafe area.
However, all three firms stressed taking cues for the theater's final renovation from public input.
Matt Taylor, an architect with Studio 8, noted his firm would incorporate "a big public process effort."
Architect William Hastings called the public presentations "a very healthy first step of any great community project."
More donations welcome
The Heritage Foundation and the Downtown Franklin Association are continuing with their Franklin Theatre fundraising efforts but face an unexpected phenomenon.
"Our serious problem right now is that people think it's done. We've made incredible progress, but we don't have everything yet. And we're seeking those funds from many sources," said Nancy Williams, director of the Downtown Franklin Association.
While Magid is forgiving the loan used to buy the building, the cost of renovating and operating the facility and the theater's costs continue to grow.
"We need to do just about everything, from paying utility bills to the architects," Williams said. "And the smallest to the largest amount in donations are welcome."
The Tennessean• May 21, 2008
FRANKLIN — With a gift of $1 million waiting in the wings and the potential for even more on the way, representatives of Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County say renovation of Franklin Theatre might be under way later this year.
To be sure, formidable challenges remain before the 70-year-old Main Street cinema can be reopened — namely, raising between $4 million and $6 million just to retrofit the now-empty building into a modern, state-of-the-art performance space. Even more would be needed to pay for operations once work is completed.
Despite the challenges, Franklin's top elected and business leaders are lining up to support a project that's drawn architectural firms' interest and remains a popular local cause though a movie hasn't played on its old screens since 2007.
"People come by and stop every day, (saying) 'When's the next movie starting?' " said Marty Ozburn, a local general contractor overseeing the theater's interior demolition. "We're getting a lot of response."
The Heritage Foundation bought the building with the intent to renovate it into a multi-use performance theater. The extent of any restoration, however, is intertwined with how much money can be raised.
"There is so much you could . . . bring to this project and the more money you have, the more you can bring to it," the foundation's executive director, Mary Pearce, said. "We want to make sure that money is spent wisely."
If all goes smoothly, Ozburn estimates that designing and renovating the building would take about year. That would mean a new Franklin Theatre could open in the early summer of 2009.
As it stands, the Heritage Foundation has about $3.2 million on hand for Franklin Theatre expenses, said President David Garrett, who made the announcement last week during the foundation's annual preservation awards ceremony.
Thus far, the project's biggest supporters include former Dollar General CEO Cal Turner and a volunteer at the foundation who answers phones in the office.
Turner made a million-dollar challenge to find a matching gift to support the project. That taker was volunteer Emily Magid, 61, who can be found answering phones and doing other volunteer work at the foundation's office each week.
Magid agreed to forgive the million-dollar loan she made anonymously last year that allowed the foundation to purchase the 70-year-old Franklin Cinema.
"I'm really delighted to have the opportunity to give back to this community," Magid said after the meeting. "I've only provided the foundation on which they could begin the reconstruction of something that seemed to be a beloved part of their lives."
She described herself as someone who prefers the focus stay on the theater and the community and not on her own work. "I'm just a harmonious bagwoman with jewelry," Magid said.
Meantime, Mayor John Schroer, one of the project's earliest supporters, is meeting with Nissan Motor Co. officials to help the effort as well.
"I'm asking for a lot of money," Schroer said of Nissan. "I asked them for a sizable contribution. . . . If Nissan does what I've asked them to, they won't need to go to anyone else."
Julie Lawless, a Nissan spokeswoman, confirmed the discussions and said Schroer's proposal is still being evaluated.
Said Schroer: "So far, they haven't said no."
Schroer called renovating the project "one of the most important in downtown Franklin." But the mayor does not want Franklin taxpayers to cover the project's cost through a contribution from the city.
"If the city's going to put money in it, the city's going to want to have control over it," Schroer said. "I don't think the city should have any control over what goes on in that theater."
Architects vie for project
Even as the money is being raised, foundation officials still must decide which architecture firm will oversee the project.
Three firms — Hastings Architecture Associates LLC, Street Dixon Rick Architecture and Studio 8 Design — made pitches of rough, conceptual plans and presentations of their credentials.
None of the firms' presentations offered specific details about the building's final appearance yet. An announcement about which firm will get approval from the foundation will likely be made this week.
"We feel it is right up our alley," Street Dixon Rick architect Baird Dixon said. "We think this is a project that only enhances the community." His firm envisions dining tables on a restored balcony inside the theater as well as an elevator and a cafe area.
However, all three firms stressed taking cues for the theater's final renovation from public input.
Matt Taylor, an architect with Studio 8, noted his firm would incorporate "a big public process effort."
Architect William Hastings called the public presentations "a very healthy first step of any great community project."
More donations welcome
The Heritage Foundation and the Downtown Franklin Association are continuing with their Franklin Theatre fundraising efforts but face an unexpected phenomenon.
"Our serious problem right now is that people think it's done. We've made incredible progress, but we don't have everything yet. And we're seeking those funds from many sources," said Nancy Williams, director of the Downtown Franklin Association.
While Magid is forgiving the loan used to buy the building, the cost of renovating and operating the facility and the theater's costs continue to grow.
"We need to do just about everything, from paying utility bills to the architects," Williams said. "And the smallest to the largest amount in donations are welcome."
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