By Sara StrongThe City of Luverne may help restore the faded glory of downtown’s Palace Theatre. The City Council toured the building and is now discussing aid options.Blue Mound Area Theater President Ben Vander Kooi brought a proposal to the Luverne City Council meeting Tuesday.As owner of the Palace, BMAT asks that the city assume ownership of the building and contract with BMAT for management.The arrangement would be similar to that of the Blue Mound Ice Arena.Vander Kooi also spoke to the Luverne Economic Development Authority last week in the hopes that it could somehow help with the building, too.The proposal for the city to take ownership of the Palace Theatre was brought because the theater is eligible for a state grant if it is under public ownership. BMAT has applied for a $75,000 Minnesota Historical Society grant that, if awarded, would be used for safety and energy improvements to the building itself. The grant could be for less than $75,000, depending on what is awarded. Vander Kooi speculated that BMAT could probably get $50,000. The grant is a competitive one to get — of the $300,000 that’s available, more than $600,000 has been requested.The grant also stipulates that there be 1-1 matching funds. The city is also considering offering the match in the form of a "pass through loan" that BMAT would repay, but for grant purposes would count as a match.If the City takes ownership, then it will be more difficult for the Palace to be sold to a private party because city property sales require public meetings and open bids. As a public entity, the City also has bonding power to finance building repairs, but BMAT anticipates fund-raising to cover those.Vander Kooi said that the building is important from an economic development and cultural standpoint."There’d be a huge hole left in downtown Luverne if there wasn’t a Palace," he said to the LEDA.The City Council will decide by its Aug. 26 the next few weeks whether it is willing to assume ownership of the building. The LEDA will further discuss matching the grant through a pass-through loan. The grant has to be turned in to the Minnesota Historical Society by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 29.History with a futureA recent study of the Palace Theatre said, "As an integral part of the community for nearly 90 years, the Palace is a rarity … in that it has been in continual use for nearly its entire lifetime."Structural and marketing studies of the Palace Theatre showed that the building is generally sound, and has potential for being a regional destination for events and movies.Becoming a hotspot could take time to achieve, but the study says, "the Historic Palace Theater can build upon its history and play a vibrant role in the community for many years to come."Before its role can be expanded, the building itself has some issues that need addressing.The architectural study said the building was in better shape than anticipated. There were some recommendations about the building, however:oTheatrical rigging tie-offs should be re-secured where necessary.oFly loft access ladders could be replaced, depending on the frequency of use.oThere is deterioration at the southeast area of the building where the roof meets the fly loft. It leaks and should temporarily be covered or repaired until re-roofing can be done.oThe roof is nearing its end and should be replaced within the next three years. oThere are some comfort issues with heat and it was recommended that an energy and heat loss consultant review the problem. oMore regular inspections of the roof and parapets, marquee, fire escapes, furnaces, etc. should be done.oA fire alarm system should be established as renovations are completed.oA sprinkler service water line should be extended into the building. Some long-range ideas may also help the Palace earn money and become a better destination for everyone.BMAT has expressed some interest in having a café next door, and improving the lobby by expanding it into a neighboring building. That would allow bathrooms to be installed on the first floor, which are now only in the basement level.The improvements could be enough to make it a destination for weddings or parties.The second floor former ballroom could also be restored and generate income. That could also require an elevator and additional exit stairs, as well as bathrooms on the second floor.Marketing to become a premier destinationThe marketing analysis said the theater "should become a place for performing arts and educational programming that responds directly to the interests, needs, and expectations of the audiences from throughout the region."Among the draws, the study said, should be live shows by the Green Earth Players and other community theater groups. The marketing analysis said that local and regional choral groups, bands, youth organizations, schools, dance groups and churches should also be included in the program schedule. The Palace should be renovated to be considered a state-of-the-art facility and become an attraction for audiences from across the region. It could also attract major performers.Other relationships with universities, organizations or businesses could bring more activity to the Palace.Films will be a part of the theater’s future as well. Second-runs of recent releases could play a weekend once a month. Art films, classics, old movies utilizing the organ or independent movies will also be considered.All of these plans for the Palace hinge on enough money and local efforts to make them happen. "The building was placed on the National Historic Register in 1979 and is noted as a unique example of how live theater and cinema came to live side by side in theaters across the country during the first part of the 20th century. "Its interior has faded from its glory days and the building has undergone several renovations over time. The facility is currently in need of major renovations for safety, improved access, updated technical systems and aesthetic reasons. Despite its current physical shortfalls, the Palace remains a vital part of the community."In order to continue to be eligible for the grant, BMAT has to know by Aug. 29 whether the city will be able to commit to ownership or matching funds. (TO PULL IF NEEDED ***There is also a band photo for the group Fragment.***)Things are picking upMany events are scheduled for the remainder of the year at the Palace.Aug. 16 — Fragment bluegrass concertAug. 20 — Spotlight Dancers "All That Jazz" Sept. 5, 6, 7 — First weekend of the month movie, "Jaws"Sept. 13 and 14 — One-man play "Confessions of an Ordinary Man" by Randy Achterhof, Leota nativeSept. 21 — South Dakota Chamber Orchestra with Emily LodineOct. 3, 4, 5 — First weekend of the month movie "Seabiscuit"Oct. 12 — Selah Porter, bluegrass and folk music by Jim and Jill Emery, Luverne nativesOct. 14, 15, 16 — Firemen’s movie fund-raiser, "Finding Nemo"Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2 — First weekend of the month movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean"Nov. 14, 15, 16 and Nov. 21, 22, 23 — "Steel Magnolias" performance by the Green Earth PlayersDec. 5, 6, 7 — "Bethlehem’s Big Night" Christmas play by Luverne American Reformed ChurchDec. 12 — Christmas at the PalaceDec. 14 — Treava Lundberg Christmas concertDec. 20 — Kristi Holler Christmas concert
