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CLEAR Temp: 73 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Sunday, June 8, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 5, 2003 Deadline put on Holly Theatre work Medford safety director says market study must be done by October By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune The future of one of Medford’s oldest theaters remains uncertain. "They put a new roof on," said Chris Reising, Medford building safety director. That will stop leaks in the roof, but it won’t fix the bigger problems. After a damaged roof truss was discovered Dec. 18, the building’s tenants were told to vacate until the owner, Art Alfinito, could stabilize the truss so further inspection and repair work could be done. The Holly Theatre, on the corner of Sixth and Holly streets, was built in 1930 and was the scene of live entertainment and films until its closure in 1986. Advertisement Alfinito purchased the building in 1996, and was debating restoration funding possibilities when he learned of the broken truss. In January, Alfinito stabilized the truss, and the tenants moved back in, but the city is still waiting for Alfinito to provide permanent support in the event of a heavy snow or other burdensome roof load. Reising said Alfinito wants to do a market study with the Medford Urban Renewal Agency, an idea he supports. "It doesn’t make much sense to put a bunch of money into it if they don’t know where they’re going with it," he said. So Reising sent Alfinito a letter a couple weeks ago notifying him that he has until October to complete the market study. MURA Director Don Burt said that at this point Alfinito hasn’t asked for a study. Burt says it’s important to figure out what uses would generate income in an area like Medford. "If you make it an opera house it’s not going to bring in a lot," said Burt. Alfinito said he’s still planning to do the repair work for the truss. "(It’s) coming along," he said. "I’m discussing the work with the engineer." Reising said that it’s "tricky" to try to work on the old lumber structures. "Those old bolted together trusses were problematic," he said. But something has to be done within the next several months. "To be limping along here and renting out a couple little stores is not a long-term plan," said Reising. Reach reporter Meg Landersat 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times