Rehabilitation of the Mulkey Theatre took another step forward last Tuesday, September 26, when the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board opened bids for heating and air-conditioning work on the building.
The board accepted the low bid of Pioneer General Contractors of $234,000 to install equipment and ducting to heat and cool the building’s main auditorium, stage, lobby, restrooms, and projection room.
CEDC officials will now negotiate cost savings on the project with Pioneer to bring the final cost of Phase 3B HVAC renovations down as much as possible.
Phase 3B is expected to be completed by the end of this year with Phase 4 – Interior Completion to get underway soon thereafter. Phase 4 will include installing seats, stage lights, and projection and sound equipment.
Funding for the heating and air improvements is provided in part by grants of $50,000 from the Don & Sybil Harrington Foundation and $10,000 from the David S. & Nona Payne Foundation. Additional funding will come from the Clarendon Community Fund, where donations to the Mulkey project are collected, and from funds financed by the economic development sales tax and hotel occupancy tax.
When completed, the Mulkey will serve as a multifunctional building that, in addition to showing movies, will serve as a performance hall and conference center.
Since 2008, the CEDC has spent more than $500,000 in public and private money to save the 1946 theatre. The building was declared one of Preservation Texas’ Most Endangered Places in Texas in 2012, but the organization moved the Mulkey to its “saved” list last year due to the renovations that have been undertaken.
To keep up with developments on the Mulkey, check out facebook.com/MulkeyTheatre, or visit ClarendonTX.com/Mulkey. To make a tax deductible donation to the project, send a check or money order to Clarendon Community Fund, PO Box 906, Clarendon, TX 79226.
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