City of Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass announced today that the firm of KSA/Wisenbaker Fix is pledging $100,000 toward the renovation of the former Liberty Theatre in downtown Tyler. With this pledge, in addition to funds raised through the Give Me Liberty Seat Sale and other pledges, a total of $700,000 has been raised toward to the estimated $1 million total project cost (includes soft costs).
“The East Texas Symphony and the City of Tyler are delighted with the progress of the capital campaign,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “In the last six months, $700,000 has been pledged to support this important step toward revitalizing downtown Tyler.”
The Tyler 21 Master Plan called for Downtown Tyler to become an arts and cultural district as a strategy to spur private reinvestment and revitalization. To move this goal forward, the City of Tyler purchased the former Liberty Theatre in 2008 and entered into a memorandum of understanding with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association (ETSOA) to lead an effort to raise the funds needed to renovate the theatre into a performing arts hall that will be a destination point for arts and culture in East Texas.
In January 2009, the capital campaign was launched with a commitment of $500,000 from the Genecov Group. Additional large pledges and donations have been made totalling $35,000.
Through the Give Me Liberty Seat Sale, an additional $65,000 has been added to the campaign to fund the rebirth of the theatre into a performing arts hall. The seat sale program provides the opportunity for citizens to sponsor a seat with a pledge of as little as $1,000. Sponsors are recognized with a personalized message on the back of the seat they sponsor.
“The Give Me Liberty Seat Sale has been a great way to get everyone interested in the revitalization of downtown involved,” said Main Street Program Director Beverly Abell. “We have had individuals with memories of visiting the theatre as a child make pledges; as well as groups who have pooled their pledges to make a contribution and sponsor a seat for their organization.”
Seats are still available for sponsorship. For more information, please visit www.GiveMeLiberty.com.
The architect for the renovation project is Mike Butler, AIA, of Fitzpatrick Butler Architects in Tyler. Renderings of the project have been drafted and depict an adaptive reuse that retains the flavor of much of the building’s facade, but with the adaptation of an entrance that will be inviting and convivial to visitors. The theatre’s interior will seat 300 and will be comprised of two levels, a main level and a balcony.
“This scale of the two levels will make every seat in the house feel intimate,” said ETSOA President D.M. Edwards. “The City and the Board have now authorized design and architectural services to officially proceed.”
Management and ownership of the theater will be transferred to the ETSOA upon completion of all renovations, with the City maintaining some oversight related to funding for tourism related activities.
Funds raised from the Symphony on the Square concert on Friday, July 3 will also benefit Liberty Hall. The concert featuring the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and Caribbean Sound will begin at 7 p.m. on the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza. Gates and food booths will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $15 for preferred seating. For more information, please call (903) 526-3876 or visit www.etso.org.