The ornate interior of the Goshen Theater wraps the stage in a band of color and light during a presentation by the Goshen Theater Task Force Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The group released the findings of a study completed by Westlake Reed Leskosky about the possible renovation of the theater. (Elkhart Truth photo/Jennifer Shephard)
GOSHEN — After years of planning, construction for the Goshen Theater’s multimillion renovation project is only months away — if the necessary funding is secured, including $4 million from the city.
Goshen Theater Inc., a nonprofit organized in 2010 to revive the old theater, plans to raise $13.7 million to cover costs of construction, start-up, and the operation and maintenance of an endowment.
Goshen Theater Inc. board president Gina Leichty outlined the theater’s plans for Goshen Redevelopment Commission members Tuesday, detailing the projected income and expenses calculated in a 2012 feasibility study. Information from the study was updated less than a year ago to ensure the costs were still relevant.
The theater board seeks $4 million from the city through its tax incremental financing district funds. The commission is the first to review the request, which eventually must go before the City Council for approval.
Leichty said the theater also hopes to secure $5 million from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, $2.5 million from a private capital campaign and $2.2 million from a Regional Cities of Northern Indiana grant. The three-county Regional Cities region is slated to receive $42 million in state economic development funds. The Regional Cities proposal includes $17.2 million for three Goshen projects, one of which is the theater.
If all goes according to plan, the theater renovation would start in 2017.
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