Haven renovations ready for bids

An unforeseen construction requirement put forth to the ongoing renovations of the Haven by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History has been adopted into the theater's final architectural plans, and instead of creating a problem for the job, might actually reduce the cost of the project in the long run.

Due to the historic nature of the old Posey Place - an unused department store directly east of the theater that will be absorbed into the theater's front lobby - the department ruled that its own façade cannot be demolished and replaced with an expanded theater entrance. Save the Haven Committee Chairwoman JoAnna Sproles said the store's double bay windows cannot be removed, as they represent 1950s storefront retail.

"That is considered the recent history of the building; it's how the building and the street looked 50 years ago," she said. "It's not originally how the building looked - it was originally part of the theater and the windows were added in the 1950s. But recent history overrides ancient history, and that is how the Posey Place looked during a person's lifetime."

The department also ruled the white tile flooring in the entrance to the Posey Place also has historic value and could not be replaced. The board's original plan, which was to completely knock down the entrance to the Posey Place and extend the theater's exterior wall and add a new entrance, is no more. Since much of the renovation of the theater is being done with archives and history grants, Sproles said the board is "playing ball with them."

However, the new requirements have also spawned new ideas.

"We're gonna be creative and work with what we have," Sproles said.

Basically, the board has assumed the policy of, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Sproles said the board is considering duplicating the tile flooring and installing it at the theater's existing, western entrance around the ticket booth.

"When all is said and done, it will still resemble storefront property, but it is theater property," she said. "We will work to make sure our colors and materials are consistent."

As for the unmovable bay windows, Sproles said they would be used to feature the theater's past. Pieces from the theater's collection of artifacts will be restored and displayed in the windows.

"Our plan is to use the bay windows as a kind of trophy case of our past and history," she said.

Sproles said the artifacts, most of which are from the Haven's time as a movie theater, include an original projector, ticket machine and antique movie posters.

Brookhaven Little Theatre Board of Directors Vice President Sha Walker said the changes to the renovation plan might actually reduce the cost of the project, as an entire planned exterior wall has now been removed from the blueprints. Walker pointed out the renovation's time frame has not been affected by the changes, as no work was scheduled until the last week of July.

"Our architect understood, redesigned the plans to meet archives and history's guidelines and we're still on the same time frame," Walker said. "It's not that big of a deal - we're still going to be able to utilize that space the way we intended."

Walker said bids for the job are currently being sought, and the board hopes to award the contract on July 10. The restoration of the façade should conclude by mid-October, Walker said, thus ending Phase Two of the theater's multi-phased renovation plan.

Marquee fundraiser set

While final preparations are made for the grant-assisted renovation of the Haven's façade, the Brookhaven Little Theatre Board of Directors is turning to concerned citizens across the city for help in rebuilding the theater's crown jewel - the sign and marquee.

The board is seeking to raise $50,000 locally during July to match with existing funds to completely restore the sign with neon lighting and renovate the marquee.

"We want to include the sign and marquee when we redo the front of the building," said board vice president Sha Walker. "We are in the throes of trying to raise what we need, and we're well on our way to achieving our goal. We're asking the community to help us with this part of the project."

Walker said the cost of renovating the sign and marquee is estimated at $63,000. Funds left over from the board's commitment to Phase Two - the restoration of the theater's façade - will be matched with the targeted $50,000. Walker said the installation of the restored sign and marquee, along with the completion of Phase Two, would put the finishing touches on the exterior of the theater.

"It's coming," he said. "Work is fixing to begin and it's gonna look good - something the city can be proud of."

Save the Haven Committee Chairwoman JoAnna Sproles said the board and committee are "full throttle" into fundraising toward restoring the sign and marquee. She said the planned deadline for raising the money is July 31.

"If there was ever a time to give to the Haven, it is this month," she said. "This is our big push."

Sproles said the seeking of donations will be accompanied by the sale of fall season tickets to theater performances and a membership drive, but the donations would serve as the primary means of gathering money for the sign and marquee restoration.

She called upon anyone who has memories of attending performances in the Haven to write "that nostalgic check."

"This donation is your, 'Boy, that building means something to me,' donation; or your, 'I remember seeing movies there in the summer,' donation; or your 'I got my first kiss in the balcony at the Haven,' donation," Sproles explained. "If you have any of those memories about going to the Haven or being downtown, now it is the time to help us. The amount of the check should relate to how good the kiss was."

Since Brookhaven Little Theatre is a non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible, Sproles said. Checks should be written out to Brookhaven Little Theatre and addressed to that organization at P.O. Box 943 in Brookhaven at area code 39602.

"This is not just a downtown building, it's an iconic building," Sproles said. "If anyone has a soft spot for that, this is the time to write that check."