By Beacon Staff
When the late Bob Brueck helped spearhead a seven-year campaign to renovate the Capitol Theater, he had visions of it becoming a cultural hub for Burlington.
With a $1 million renovation project planned for the building that will add a black-box theater and turn the annex into a lounge area, that final vision may be coming to fruition.
The Burlington City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Jan. 18 on a resolution that will allow the theater to seek Catalyst grant funding through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Brueck died this past Sunday, before the plans were officially approved by the council.
“We lost one of our heroes, or at least one of my heroes,” Mayor Jon Billups said.
According to plan presented to the city at an earlier work session, the project will fully renovate the second floor of the theater annex building, including the currently dormant elevator. The project is set to begin next year.
The largest addition will be a black box theater (smaller theater) measuring 1,256 square feet and seating about 100 people. The second floor will also host a full-service bar, four designated practice rooms, one office/practice room, a full office, bathrooms, storage, and a multipurpose room.
The new space will provide the theater with the ability to attract different types of shows rather than those currently offered in the theater, and executive director Tammy McCoy said the theater will start showing new releases as well as anime. The new space will also offer a venue for music, dance, theater practice, podcasting, music recording and theater programs performed through a partnership with Southeastern Community College. The college will also be able to utilize the space for other programs, such as the CBIZ class graduation ceremonies.
McCoy said bringing in new live shows and movies will broaden the appeal of the theater, bringing more people downtown. If the theater is awarded Catalyst grant funds through the IEDA, the project will start in a timely manner. McCoy said that will be combined with funds from a capital campaign and further grant funding.
In other business, the council denied renewing the liquor license for Hot Spot Food and Liquor (also known as Super Saver) on 1618 Osborn St. by a unanimous vote. Burlington Police Chief Marc Denney said there were 13 violations regarding the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors – the most violations the store has racked up.
Denney said the store is an extreme outlier and most businesses comply with the law.