Tybee Post Theater/FOTT Update – 2010

by Pamela Lappin

2009 was an amazing year for the Tybee Post Theater, and thanks to a grant from the State of Georgia and the generosity of the Tybee community, once again we have a beautiful building facade. The board also wishes to thank Cullen Chambers, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society and John Herdina, FOTT board member, who supervised this important project and to everyone on the Friends of the Tybee Theater Board who worked hard this year to make us so
successful.

In addition to the facade, we are currently working inside the building to bring it up to code so that we can start having a limited number of events on-site and really appreciate the city working with us on this project. What’s in store for 2010? That’s up to all of us. We’re currently raising money to begin Phase Two of the renovation that will include the following:

Entry Door Hardware	$ 4,000	Accessible Parking and Walkway	$ 8,000
Exit Door	$ 5,800	Chairs	$ 7,500
Railing and Steps	$ 8,000	General Conditions	$ 18,000
Platforms (Tiered Floor)	$54,000	Contractors Overhead & Fee (5%)	$ 7,300
Ventilation	$15,000	Design Fees (8%)	$ 12,200
Lighting	$ 6,000	Contingency (5%)	$ 8,250
Power	$15,000
Fire Alarm and Security	$ 10,000	PHASE TWO GRAND TOTAL:	$ 175,050

When Phase Two is completed, we will have a code compliant building. After Phase Three the building will be usable for the community. After decades of disuse and then years of planning, first by the Tybee Historical Society and then by the Friends of the Tybee Theater, we are now on the threshold of a new era for Tybee Island. A performing arts center, attracting locals and tourists, helping to fill seats in restaurants and beds in lodging establishments is within our reach.

Please, join us Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00 pm at the American Legion for our annual public meeting to find out how you can help “Raise the Curtain.” And don’t forget our 2nd annual Tybee Wine Festival on the grounds of the Tybee Island Lighthouse on April 17th. For information visit: http://www.tybeeposttheater.org.

Tybee Post Theater Board Hosts Ribbon Cutting!

The Editor

“Getting the doors of this theater open is the one thing that most Tybee folks can almost agree on!” These words of Mayor Jason Buelterman rang true as he addressed the crowd gathered for an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the theater’s newly installed facade windows and doors on Dec. 17th, 2009. “Back in 2000 when the Tybee Island Historical Society purchased this building, it was one week away from the wrecking ball, and here is stands today a testimate to the dedication of those whose vision will surely prevail!”

In early December the Friends of the Tybee Theater received a letter from W. Ray Luce, Director of the State of Georgia’s Historic Preservation Division stating that the Tybee Post Theater had been awarded a Georgia Heritage Grant for $20,000 funded with proceeds from the sale of the historic preservation license plate.

The Friends of the Tybee Theater grant application was one of 37 received this past summer as part of the SFY

2009 cycle totaling almost $800,000.00 in grant requests, but due to state budget constraints the only license plate money to be available at this time was awarded to the top-scoring Tybee Theater project. Competition for the Georgia Heritage Grant Program is strong, and the group is very proud of this accomplishment. The $20,000 grant award for further rehabilitation was used to complete the purchase and installation of new facade windows and doors for the building. The license plate can be purchased at county tag offices for a $25 specialty tag fee.

The group announced several months ago that grant monies had been requested for this purpose. The grant was facilitated by Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, Cullen Chambers, and the work was completed by J. T. Turner Construction Company. Chambers, Mayor Buelterman, David Crass, Director of the Historic Preservation Division from the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, and FOTT President Pam Lappin were on hand to address the gathering.  Several board members were also present along with Jim Kluttz President of Tybee Island Historical Society and Sarah Jones, Assistant Tybee Light Station Director. City officials and members of the council also attended.  The public enjoyed refreshments and tours of the site, and the very first live performance of music to take place in the building since rehabilitation began.

The theater has been in the news several times this fall including an interview by WSAV-TV reporter Randi Hempel about the grant award.  In October the Tybee Arts Association raised funds for the project by producing an original community musical, “The Treasure of Lefty the Pirate.” building was also recently toured by art patrons from The Landings, and featured during “Tybee for the Holidays” 1st Annual Realtor’s Tour of Homes. Plans for more events at the theater site are now in the works, and excitement is building community-wide. If you haven’t seen the new windows and doors, drive by and take a look.  The old theater, once so much a part of Tybee’s past is beginning to come alive again.  2010 may well be the year!  Next month the Friends of the Tybee will announce a new Board of Directors, so stay tuned…