FAQ
Why should the Opera House be restored?
The Opera House is one of the most important historic buildings in the community, and is in danger of being lost if preservation work is not undertaken. When completed, it will be the most outstanding performing arts venue in the Upper Peninsula, drawing visitors to Menominee, and providing an important economic stimulus to both the Historic Downtown Waterfront area and to the city at large. It will also enhance the quality of life for area residents by providing access to kinds of entertainment not readily available here at present.
What will the Opera House be used for after it is restored?
The Opera House will be equipped as a multi-purpose entertainment and rental facility, with provisions for stage presentations, movies, and rentals for such purposes as weddings, corporate conferences, private entertainment presentations, and radio and TV broadcasts. The goal is to operate the theater 365 days per year.
Doesn't Blesch Auditorium provide an adequate platform for the performing arts?
While Blesch Auditorium is an excellent facility, it is exactly what it's name implies - an auditorium. It is not a theater, lacking a full stage house, fly loft, dressing rooms, projection system, theater quality sound and lighting, and facilities for loading in equipment and sets for major presentations. The Opera House, on the other hand, is an excellent theater building comparable to many Broadway theaters, and after restoration, will be equipped with state of the art theater technology.
Will the Opera House be economically self-sustaining once it is in operation?
Probably not. In a facility of this kind, ticket revenues are usually adequate to offset the cost of presentation, but fall short of paying for building maintenance and improvements, payroll, utilities, and other overhead items. The shortfall is made up by things such as volunteer labor, contributions, and theater rentals. That being said, hundreds of landmark theaters all over the country survive and contribute to the cultural and economic life of their communities by these means. Ultimately, the goal of all historic theater groups is to build an endowment fund adequate to provide an ongoing income to support theater operations.
What will it cost to restore the Opera House?
The present estimate is $8 million. That figure is based on a study of 16 theater restoration projects around the country, and will be refined as design and planning go forward.
Can Menominee afford it? Where will the money come from?
While community support will be an important part of the financing, most of the money will not be generated locally. The current best estimate of funding sources, based on a study of similar projects, indicates that about 10-15% of the total project cost will come from within the community, with the balance coming from state, federal, and private grants, historic preservation tax credits, and large private and corporate donations. Since this is entirely a private effort, no local tax money will be involved.
Are there enough people who are interested in restoring the Opera House to make all this happen?
It appears so. From it's inception, this project has enjoyed wide support from within the community. Fund raising events, meetings, work bees and the like have been well attended. Very few negative feelings about the project have been expressed.
How long will it take before the Opera House is operating again?
The answer depends entirely on funding. All restoration work could be completed in two years, but that is very unlikely. Full completion of the project may take 5-15 years, but progress and impact will happen before then. Repair work on the building has already begun. The next step will be to prepare a master plan and cost estimate for restoration. That will be followed by detailed architectural planning, then actual construction work. It is hoped that the exterior of the building, including replacement of doors and windows, brick cleaning and repair, replacement of the missing marquee and cornice on the front of the building, and a new roof can be completed by 2011. At that time, the building will be opened for tours, and interior work will begin.
What is so special about this old building?
Very few of the hundreds of landmark theaters in this country can compare in quality to the Menominee Opera House. Well over half are movie houses built in the 1920's and 30's, and lack facilities for theatrical, dance, or musical presentations. Of the remainder, most are second-story theaters built over mercantile establishments, an arrangement which was common around the turn of the century. Buildings of this kind present operating problems with loading stage equipment in and out, ambient noise, adequacy of exits, and the like. Our Opera House is a free-standing building equipped with a generous stage house with loading dock access, ideally located in our Historic Waterfront Downtown, but well isolated from traffic noise. Although the interior is in ruins, the structure itself is fortress-like and in very good repair after presentation work done by the Vennema family in the 1980's. There is room for an addition to house a large lobby with concessions, toilet facilities, elevator, heating and ventilating equipment, and office space. The Menominee Opera House is a gem.
I have heard that concrete was poured over the seats years ago, to make the floor level. Won't this be difficult to remove?
That story is not quite accurate. The original seating and wood floor was removed, the basement was filled with sand level with the stage, and a 6" concrete floor was poured over the sand so that the building could be used as a warehouse. Removal will not be difficult. It is doubtful that the original floor would still be useful, and surviving examples show that the original seating was very crowded and uncomfortable. In fact, had the building not been used as a warehouse, it may not have survived until now.