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From the outside, the Holly Theatre restoration appears to be on hiatus, but behind the scenes, a meticulous effort is underway to recreate the decorative features of the once-ornate interior. Kendall Mingey, owner of Cupollete Foundry in Portland, has spent the past week in Medford casting reproductions of pieces that have gone missing over the years. Mingey’s work will help create the right atmosphere in the 1930-auditorium that is scheduled to reopen in late 2019. Local residents had salvaged bits and pieces from the Holly years ago, but many returned them once they heard about the restoration. Mingey’s job is to repair the original decorative pieces, which include horsehair plaster faces, columns and other features, or to use an original to create a reproduction. “They are pretty old and pretty fragile,” she said. In some cases the decorative pieces, which are featured around the two balconies on either stage, were broken in half or chipped. At least one original of all the many pieces has been returned, helping the restoration project. “One set will be original, one set will be a reproduction,” Mingey said. To create an impression of the original piece and then to make a plaster cast takes considerable time. Once the cast is made, the plaster is painted to match the original. “It’s frustrating,” Mingey said Tuesday, surrounded by onlookers. “It’s very, very detail oriented.” It’s also been frustrating for Holly supporters and local residents, who have been waiting since 2011 for the restoration of the building in downtown Medford. In the meantime, costs have escalated from the original estimate of $4.3 million to $10 million , though almost $2 million already has been spent on engineering, design and architectural fees as well as restoration of the facade and roof joints. It is estimated to cost $8.4 million to finish the Holly, with $2.4 million still needing to be raised. Over the years, the interior has been gutted in preparation for the remodel, and the lobby has been restored. Randy McKay, director of Jefferson Live!, which is in charge of the Holly rebuild, said the long delay should come to an end soon. He expects construction to begin by the end of the year. “As soon as we get the permits, we will start interior construction,” McKay said. He said the work has to be done in phases to minimize the length of time that the extensive scaffolding for the interior is needed. “We’re paying a lot to rent that scaffolding,” he said. The project will require paying prevailing wages set by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries because of the amount of state money going into the project. A $1 million grant was approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2017. HamCon Builders in Eagle Point has been on board with the remodel since the historic, but dilapidated, theater was bought by Jefferson Public Radio in 2011, and just this month, that remodel began in earnest with major demolition underway indoors. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on @ reporterdm .