Gillioz cuts staff as fund-raising continues

Only about $700,000 stands between the Gillioz Theater and its opening.

Nancy Brown, president of the Spring-field Landmarks Preservation Trust, which is restoring the Gillioz and its neighbor, the Netter's Building, likens it to a race: the finish line is in sight, but the runner's shoe just fell off.

While more money is being raised, operating expenses have to be cut, so Executive Director Dorothy Lemmon and her assistant, Stacy Nelson, were let go about two weeks ago.

The board has pitched in to temporarily share office duties, making an active board even more active, Brown said.

But, as Dave Coonrod, board vice president, told Brown and the board, "The hardest part is over." With $2.5 million already raised and spent, the board purchased both buildings, which are virtually debt-free, and installed infrastructure.

All that is lacking for a "basic" opening, is temporary seating and working restrooms on the first floor, Brown said. Heat and air conditioning, and stage sound and light are installed, Brown said.

Public requests to use the theater have been pouring in for local theater productions, receptions and meetings, Brown said.

Once finished, with "all the bells and whistles," the dual project's build-out value will be $15 million, Brown said. That would include a 1,100-seat theater with original seating restored, and renovation of the 27,000-square-foot Netter's building, including a ground-floor rest-aurant and business tenants on the upper floors.

Brown said that nationally, theaters that are self-supporting own adjacent income-producing property, which is why Netter's was purchased. That purchase was "absolutely" a good investment.

Brown hopes that, with the careful use of the many financial tools that the state and federal governments have available for historic renovation, the project could become a national model for restoration.

"We have a firm commitment to complete both projects and need to secure large blocks of funding prior to the construction," she said.

To that end, the board is pursuing historic register designation for the Netter's Building, which will open the door for tax credits for donors.