Gillioz cuts staff as fund-raising continues

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

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.|ret||ret||tab|

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. |ret||ret||tab|

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

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. |ret||ret||tab|

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.|ret||ret||tab|

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

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.|ret||ret||tab|

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. |ret||ret||tab|

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. |ret||ret||tab|

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

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. [[In-content Ad]]