Hollywood Theater awarded grant

     Gowanda's Historic Hollywood Theater will be the recipient of a $90,000 Community Development Block Grant awarded following a successful recent application to Erie County by the Gowanda Area Redevelopment Corp., GARC, owners and operators of the Hollywood Theater.

     The $90,000 grant will he utilized as partial funding for restoration of the Hollywood Theater's facade and marquee. The grant will he combined with other private funds to total approximately $150,000 to complete phase II of the theater restoration project slated for this year.

     "I am thrilled that Erie County has recognized the importance of the Hollywood Theater as both a catalyst for Gowanda's economic redevelopment and support as a national landmark structure," according to Bryan Bradley, executive director of the Hollywood Theater.

     Numerous letters of support were forwarded to Erie County from both Gowanda's business community as well as individuals supporting the priority of the Hollywood Theater.

     This portion of the project will see lighting enhancements, retractable security gate, masonry work, front exterior door repairs and fully functioning computerized marquee. Essentially, the marquee will he restored to its original appearance when first added to the theater's front facade in 1948, but with the addition of a computerized message board.

     The board is expected to make the marquee more functional without compromising its historic integrity.

     Phase I of the Hollywood Theater restoration was completed last year following total roof replacement on all four levels, masonry repair, asbestos abatement and new plumbing associated with roof drainage.

     The Friends of the Hollywood Theater are working together with the Gowanda Area Redevelopment Corp., GARC, in restoring the Hollywood Theater as a regional rural center for the visual and performing arts.

     Built in l926 by Gowanda philanthropist Richard Wilhelm, the theater was purchased in 1998 by the Gernatt Family of Companies in Collins and donated to GARC as a gift to the community.

     The Hollywood Theater is one of only a few highly ornate historic theaters remaining in Western New York and is listed on both the New York State and National Historic Registries.