It has long been known that the Salt Lake County Fine Arts Advisory Board is very keen on resurrecting the shuttered Promised Valley Playhouse, so it came as no surprise when it made a formal recommendation to that effect Tuesday.
Speaking to the Salt Lake County Commission, board chairman Tony Larimer cited the building's historic value, its relatively intimate performance hall (up to 1,000 seats after reconstruction), its good sightlines, its ample rehearsal, storage and office space."We were quite impressed with what we saw," he said.
The County Commission has not yet decided whether to follow through with the advisory board's recommendation but may vote on the matter next week.
The biggest problem with the renovation also comes as no surprise: money. A study conducted last October concluded that it would cost $24 million to $30 million to spiff up the 94-year-old theater's appearance, redo its auxiliary space and main hall and, most critical, make it seismically stable.
"I think it's a great part of our valley," said Commissioner Mark Shurtleff. "(Renovation) is something that I would obviously like to see. But funding's the key."
In that respect, county director of Community and Support Services Julie Peck put it, "The well is dry." The county's usual fine arts capital projects funding sources -- particularly the so-called TRCC fund of rental car and prepared-food taxes -- are busy financing the Salt Palace expansion, south valley convention center and other things.
"There's no funding available," Commissioner Brent Overson said. "We would have to go with a G-O (general obligation) bond."
That means a general vote, and so far the public doesn't seem too excited. Only 20 percent of respondents to a Deseret News poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates last fall favored renovating the Promised Valley Playhouse. Twenty-seven percent favored building another theater from scratch (which would cost less -- $18 million to $24 million), and 40 percent said don't do anything.
County Fine Arts Division director Marian Iwasaki said she's pursuing funding options such as a partnership with the Salt Lake Redevelopment Agency and partnerships with private companies but conceded that a general obligation bond to cover all or part of the cost probably can't be avoided.
The advisory board has approached county performing groups regarding renovation of the Promised Valley Playhouse, and Larimer says interest has been high. Whether that interest continues when it's time to put cash on the barrel head, however, remains to be seen.
A 1997 study concluded that Salt Lake County's current performing arts facilities -- Abravanel Hall, the Capitol Theatre and the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center -- are insufficient for future growth and that the county needs a new mid-size (1,200-seat) theater.
Even after renovation the Promised Valley Playhouse would be somewhat smaller than that, but performers and historical building advocates just can't stomach the idea of tearing down the grand old lady, one of the first theaters in Utah.
The LDS Church currently owns the State Street landmark, which it closed in 1997 because of myriad structural problems. Church officials have indicated their willingness to donate the building and land to the county, as well as help out with parking by allowing use of its nearby parking terrace.