With renderings and blueprints drawn, the Brick District Playhouse Board has a vision of what will become of the old Fulton Theatre. To make dreams for the Court Street building a reality, the playhouse board will seek a $200,000 loan through the Fulton Area Development Corporation's re-lending program, which was made possible with the United States Department of Agriculture.
The Brick District Playhouse qualified for the loan program, said board member Debbie LaRue, but needed a safety net, or guarantee, from a financially-solid entity in case it were to default on the loan. The city of Fulton provided that guarantee during the city council's Tuesday meeting, agreeing to the $200,000 at a half-percent interest rate over a 30-year time period. Before the vote was taken, Ward I Councilman Mike West asked the city's Chief Financial Officer Kathy Holschlag if the city could afford the bill in the case of a default. She answered yes.
The unanimous vote, LaRue said, was one she said the board is thankful for.
"The Brick District Playhouse board is greatly appreciative for the cooperation and support that the mayor and city council is giving to us," LaRue said.
Next, the board needs to finalize the loan agreement with the FADC and then it will be able to move forward with phase two of its three-phase plan. LaRue told the city council that the re-lending program was a more favorable funding option for the playhouse. While the group could lead fundraising efforts, she said it should not compete for money with social service-based organizations like the United Way. Though the playhouse has many economic and cultural benefits for the community, LaRue said it is not a necessity whereas the United Way and groups like it are vital.
Without solicitation, the playhouse has received more than $30,000 in donations - one that was anonymous for $20,000 and another from the Fulton Heritage Trust of $5,000 as well as in-kind donations. At its January board meeting, the Brick District voted to take over restoration of the theater. It also assumed control of the Callaway Arts Council, changing its name to the Brick District Playhouse.
LaRue said the board will pay back the loan through revenue the playhouse will eventually generate. This will be done through ticket sales, rental fees for special events and a restaurant that will be known as the Brick District Bistro. Shawna Bruns, owner of Cafe Creme, will move her operation into the space and assume the new name. According to the board's phase two proposal - prepared by Brick District Board President Tom Riley - Bruns has a "proven track record" of business success that will be fitting for the theater.
When entering the building, patrons will see cafe seating and an open kitchen on their right with more seating on the left. A space will be left open for patrons to head straight to the theater.
"Without the need for a vent hood or more elaborate kitchen, this type of business would also be less expensive and, of course, work extremely well in conjunction with the events we will host," the proposal states.
Earlier this year, the city of Fulton decided to apply for a tax credit to benefit the playhouse. The tax credit gives donors back 50 cents on the dollar off of their tax bills. By May, Fulton-based general contracting company Glove Con and volunteers had cleaned out the theater, installed electricity, secured the building from the outside, tore down non-original walls, removed the drop ceiling and renovated the basement.
There is the expectation that the playhouse will be another economic driver for Fulton. When talking to people throughout the community, LaRue said it's hard to find someone who doesn't have a memory of the 87-year-old theater.
"So, I think we all recognize the potential the theater has as an anchor for the Brick District as well as a cultural center for Fulton and the surrounding communities," LaRue said.