Pioneer to lead work on theatre

The Mulkey Theatre project took another important step forward Monday when the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation selected a contractor-at-risk for Phase One of the rehabilitation of the downtown landmark.

Pioneer General Contractors of Amarillo will conduct the bid process and lead the construction team that will implement the renovation of the 1946 theatre’s façade.

Project architect Mason Rogers said Pioneer will place bid notices in the Amarillo Globe-News and The Clarendon Enterprise in about two weeks to begin the process of selecting sub-contractors for the job, and the CEDC Board is encouraging all local contractors to watch for that notice and bid on work they may be interested in.

The Phase One project is expected to cost about $123,000 and will include replacing stucco on the façade with a new EFIS material that is flexible and infused with the paint color, replacing badly damage stucco work on the underside of the marquee, fabrication and installation of new aluminum doors to match existing doors, and a new electrical service capable of supporting the entire building will be installed.

Damaged tiles will be repaired or replaced, and the corrugated accent on the center of the façade will be refinished. The project also calls for neon or LED lighting to be restored on the underside of the marquee and for new neon or LED tubing to be added in the porthole windows and along the top of the building.

Also on Monday, the CEDC also authorized soliciting bids for a contractor to do more work on the Mulkey barbershop, which is being converted for use as a city visitor center and economic development office. A bid notice is found on this week’s classifieds page, and the CEDC will meet in called session next Monday, August 27, at 5:15 p.m. to consider those bids.

When completed, the new visitor center will house both the office of CEDC Executive Director Chandra Eggemeyer and the Chamber of Commerce, providing a “one stop shop” for travelers and those who may be interested in locating their businesses or families in Clarendon.