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THEATER RESTORATION Holly Theatre restoration in line for $1 million in state funds Esquivel cites widespread bipartisan support Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 4:12 PM Updated Feb 25, 2016 at 5:09 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 4:12 PM Updated Feb 25, 2016 at 5:09 PM » Social News The Holly Theatre is on track to receive $1 million in state funds toward the historic building's renovations. The Oregon Legislature's Capital Construction Subcommittee approved a $1 million appropriation during its regular session Thursday morning in Salem. The news follows an announcement Wednesday that philanthropist James Collier will pay for the building's elevator, a six-figure gift that is the largest single gift to the restoration project. "It's been a good week," Holly Theatre Executive Director Randy McKay said. State Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, said support for the restoration funding was unanimous during the subcommittee meeting. Esquivel and McKay said there's been bipartisan support for restoration of the 1930 theater building in the Legislature. Esquivel said Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, was very helpful, and McKay said Medford Democratic Sen. Alan Bates has toured the building and expressed support. "It really was a great bipartisan effort," McKay said. Esquivel, who spearheaded the effort for state funding, said that next steps include votes in the full House and Senate, then approval from the governor. Because of the broad bipartisan support, Esquivel said, he anticipates approval for the project within a week. “It’s part of the budgetary adjustment, so I think it won’t have much of a problem getting through,” Esquivel said. "We just happened to be at the right place and the right time, I think." Among Esquivel's most powerful childhood memories was seeing "Ben Hur" at the Holly in the 1950s. “I never forgot that,” Esquivel said. “Every time I see the movie I think of the Holly Theatre.” Esquivel also remembers the Holly as the area's first theater designed for "talkies." He recalls that the Holly, which will have seating for nearly 1,000, also was the first theater to use gypsum board, making it more resistant to fire than wooden buildings. The news was a welcome surprise for McKay, who found out about the effort only near the end of 2015. The organization had raised $2 million toward the $4.3 million cost of renovation before the state funding announcement. "This in one fell swoop cut that amount (still needed) in half," McKay said. McKay said the initiative had support from Medford, Ashland and Talent chambers of commerce lobbying arms, and area businesses wrote letters of support. McKay said that while more money still needs to be raised, the funding will allow renovation crews to design the HVAC system and other behind-the-scenes portions. “Even though you may not see hammers and saws in the next few months, certainly work is progressing and you will see that,” McKay said. McKay said the building is structurally sound. Interior renovation on the theater area will take about 12 months to complete once funding is secured. The state funding keeps the theater on track to meet its schedule of opening at the end of 2017. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 4:12 PM Updated Feb 25, 2016 at 5:09 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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