Historic Columbia Theatre Poised to Unveil $11.6 Million Restoration
arts, columbia theatre, culture,
It will soon be curtains – and much more – for the Columbia Theatre.
The historic entertainment venue in Longview has been in the midst of an $11.6 million renovation for the past couple of years and is set to reopen in February 2010.
That’s quite an impressive achievement given the fact that the theater was just days from being demolished in 1980.
“The Columbia was built in 1925 at the height of the Vaudeville era, but then Vaudeville saw a steady decline as the entertainment industry shifted to radio, silent movies and then talking movies,” says Gian Paul Morelli, executive director of the Columbia Theatre Association for the Performing Arts. “The theater ultimately became a movie house that eventually became outdated, and the owners planned to demolish the Columbia in 1979.”
In fact, a local paper published the headline “Goodbye, Columbia” on June 30, 1979, but a number of concerned citizens conducted a tenacious stall campaign and then a fundraising effort to save the historic landmark.
“The citizens managed to delay the demolition for 10 months, but they couldn’t raise enough money to buy the building. So, heavy equipment was driven to the parking lot next door in early May 1980 – with the intent to knock down the Columbia within days,” Morelli says. “But suddenly, Mount St. Helens erupted and all available construction equipment was needed to clear the roads leading to the volcano. The timing for the theater being saved by Mount St. Helens almost seemed apocalyptic.”
The eruption bought another six months for the theater, during which time the non-profit Columbia Theatre Association for the Performing Arts was established. The association ultimately purchased the facility and has operated it ever since.
In 2007, the Columbia sustained significant flooding, so the association decided to refurbish the entire structure. Nearly $6 million was raised privately, while another $6 million was secured through state grants.
“When the Columbia reopens in early 2010, it will host about 90 entertainment events a year,” Morelli says. “The renovation primarily will focus on audience comfort, with wider seats and more spacious rows along with many more rest rooms. There will be comfortable seating for 815, and, although it will be outfitted for 21st-century entertainment, the Columbia will certainly retain its old-time charm.”
While the renovation continues to move forward, the Columbia Theatre Association is staging its seasonal plays and concerts at the Rose Center on the campus of Lower Columbia College.
“For our 2009-2010 season that will run from September to June, we will probably hold two or three shows at the Rose Center and then transfer everything back to the Columbia in February 2010,” Morelli says. “The Rose Center has been great to stage our shows, but we are anxious to return home to the Columbia Theatre once again.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
