FILLMORE : Restoration Assured at Towne Theater

The city of Fillmore has received a contract from state historical preservation officials guaranteeing almost $450,000 for restoration of the cracked and crumbled Towne Theater.

Although the city has not yet received a check, the contract ensures that Fillmore will get the money, Councilman Roger Campbell said Wednesday.

“We have already gotten to the point of asking for proposals from architects,” Campbell said. “This has all happened very quickly.”

The Jan. 17 Northridge earthquake caused extensive damage to many Fillmore buildings, including the Towne Theater, a vaudeville-era stage and movie house in the center of town.

The city Redevelopment Agency bought the building this spring because agency directors wanted to ensure that it was restored, not demolished. The Fillmore Film Commission has been meeting regularly to study restoration proposals.

Under the state grant, the city will receive just over $446,000 to pay for the building’s renovation.

“We don’t know how far the money is going to go,” film commission Chairman John McKinnon said Wednesday. “I’m sure the architects and engineers will take a good part of it.”

The commission has begun planning a series of fund-raisers to generate more money to pay for improvements to the theater, where officials hope to stage plays, host speakers and offer first-run movies.

Campbell said 10 architectural bids have been received so far and that a contract could be awarded as soon as next month. No estimate on the total cost of repairs will be available until initial renderings are completed, he said.