CEDC to open bids on Mulkey marquee work

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation will meet next Thursday to open bids for the restoration of the Mulkey Theatre’s marquee.

The CEDC Board of Directors met Monday and authorized advertising for bids for the marquee work as well as for new electrical circuits for the sign and for repairs to wood framing and plasterwork on part of the theatre’s overhang.

As of this week, fundraising for the theatre has reached nearly $16,000 either donated or pledged for the marquee restoration. That is three-fourths of the $20,000 goal set by the CEDC and the Mulkey Advisory Committee, and officials are confident that the remainder of the funds can be raised in the next few weeks.

“We want to see the marquee lit up this summer, and that means we have to get moving with taking bids and other steps,” said CEDC Secretary Roger Estlack.

Separate bids are also being sought for electrical work and structural repairs to the theatre overhang, but officials say that any volunteer labor or any donation of supplies toward those efforts will just help the project that much more by stretching dollars as far as they will go.

The 12 letters spelling MULKEY on the north and south faces of the theatre’s marquee have each been sponsored, but donations are still very much needed to finish the work. Donors who give $50 or more will be recognized inside the theatre, and donations can be made to Donley County Historical Commission, PO Box 905, Clarendon, TX 79226 and note “Mulkey” in the memo of your check.

Clarendon’s downtown merchants are also supporting the effort by selling paper light bulbs which can be purchased for $1 and are displayed in stores downtown.
For more information about how you can help “Bring Back the Mulkey,” visit www.ClarendonEDC.org or check out www.facebook.com/mulkeytheatre.