The Babcock Theatre currently shows movies on five nights every week. Banner printing is often used by theaters to highlight which movies are on.
Matt Blakeslee serves as the theater’s executive director and he outlined the details of the plan to a gathering of community members, saying:
“We could go and get $10,000 here or there, but this grant is one of those larger grants that can actually address real needs and issues that we have. We’re investing in ourselves to try to make this happen, too.”
The grant will be requested on the grounds of historic preservation. According to Blakeslee, the proposal concentrates on the numerous safety and environmental issues that will be addressed in tandem with the need for repairs. A large portion of the funds would be used for construction on the theater’s sidewalk. The concrete foundation in this spot has shifted over the years and it is causing structural issues for the theater.
The theater is also planning to replace the existing fluorescent bulbs with more energy-efficient LED bulbs. Additionally, it needs new panels on the marquee that would be safer to work with. Other proposed improvements include new doors that fit better and provide better insulation, restoring glass tiles in one section, and improving the lighting inside the theater.
If the grant is awarded, the theater will have access to the funds in May 2023.