The Florida Theatre is getting a $225,000 facelift.
The historic venue at 128 E. Forsyth St. is receiving $150,000 from the Florida Historical Commission, with the remaining $75,000 coming from the city’s park maintenance and improvement account.
The money will be used to repair and restore the decorative terra cotta bays above the building’s signature marquee. The work includes filling and restoring cracks throughout the exterior.
“Deterioration threatens the integrity of the elaborate terra cotta balconets, banding and ornamentation on the building’s exterior,” according to a state projects list breakdown showing the significance of the theater.
A target date for completion would be June 2016.
It’s the only project of the 28 receiving state money that’s located in Duval County.
Mayor Alvin Brown and City Council member Jim Love announced the funding this morning at a news conference.
Love said the upgrades should make the historic building more attractive to potential tenants seeking to rent space.
Last year, council members approved a bill to spend $100,000 to revamp two floors of the building with hopes they’ll be rented with the revenue being used for the building’s maintenance.
“It makes Downtown even more vibrant,” Love said of the most recent funding. “It’s another small step in that direction.”
In a statement, Brown said the venue has provided cultural and entertainment events that have improved Jacksonville’s quality of life and made Downtown a destination.
“I am proud to work with the State of Florida and our vibrant cultural community in a public-private partnership to maintain this vital cultural resource,” he said.
A bill for the city’s $75,000 share was filed Wednesday for introduction to council Tuesday.
@writerchapman
(904) 356-2466