Soo Theatre Project and Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios

Project Overview *

Project Name:

Street Address:

534 Ashmun Street

City:

Sault Ste. Marie

State:

Zip Code:

49783

www.sootheatre.org

Web Site:

www.sootheatre.org [1]

Year Established:

2003

Telephone:

906-632-1930

First Name of Project Contact:

Catherine

Last Name of Project Contact:

Tibbett

Brief Project Description (100 words):

After failed attempts by other groups the Soo Theatre Project purchased the 1930"s 25,000 square foot complex with a no interest loan from a local bank in 2003. The building was structurally sound but in disrepair. A Michigan Cool Cities Grant in 2004 allowed renovation for the 4 store fronts into studios, restrooms and reception area.. Volunteers tore down the walls that divided the theatre into two parts and hid the stage. The first theatre performance since 1974 occurred in 2005. This season has 19 shows with hundreds of actors and 28 performance nights. The STARS studios began in 2005 with 10 teachers and 100 students. This year 400 students and 45 dance classes along with piano, acting,yoga, voice, violin, viola, cello, harp, woodwinds, with 12 performing group

Program/Development Partners

Name:

n/a

Name:

n/a

Non-profit Sector:

Program

Development

Project Tenant

Name:

Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Creative Industries Served:

Performance-based arts

Community Context: *

Community Programming:

Professional Development & Training Services

Technique or studio training/ workshops

Community Service/Engagement Programs

Other

Shared: Facilities and Equipment

Shared: Administrative Infrastructure

Other Shared Resources

Professional Development & Training Services:

n/a

Technique or Studio Training/Workshops:

Master classes in dance and voice

Population served+:

STARS students and community

Community Engagement/Programming:

n/a

Other Programs:

n/a

Shared Community Resources - Facilities and Equipment:

Theatre has loaned lights, microphones, props, sets and other item to other local community groups

Shared Community Resources - Administrative Infrastructure:

n/a

Shared Community Resources - Other:

Hospital has used theatre for professional development training site.

Building Description *

Building Description:

Renovation

Year Renovated:

2004 to present

Year Originally Built:

1930

Building Type:

Multi-use

Artist/Space Ownership/Use Structure:

Rental

Building Area (square feet):

25000

Included Space Types / Uses

Total Units(#):

Units for Broader Community(#):

Total Affordable Units(#):

Units for Resident Organization(#):

Workspace Studios:

Rental

Total Units(#):

Units for Broader Community(#):

Total Affordable Units(#):

Units for Resident Organization(#):

Total Units(#):

Units for Broader Community(#):

Total Affordable Units(#):

Units for Resident Organization(#):

Performance/Rehearsal Space:

For Resident Organizations Only

Available to Public

Dance Studio:

For Resident Organizations Only

Office Space:

For Resident Organizations Only

Multi-Purpose Space (e.g. for Community Use):

Available to Public

Additional Artist Amenities:

Natural light

Wide width doorways

Ventilation

Wheelchair accessible

Sound proofing

Dance floors

Special electric (220v)

High speed internet access

Parking

Zoning / Building Regulations *

Original Zoning:

Mixed-Use

Zoning Change Required:

Other Zoning/Regulatory Issues:

none

Development Team *

Type of Developer:

Non-Profit

Developer:

n/a

Contractor:

volunteer

Project Manager:

Colleen Arbic

Architect:

Beverly McCready, Northwoods Engineering, MPG Architect

Artist Organization:

none

Other Experts Consulted (property management, legal, etc):

David Bulson, Attorney, Property Manager Dianna George, David Strickland City Engineer, Mark Sundstrum City Building Inspection Department and others

Finance *

Total Development Cost ($):

2e+06

Acquisition Cost ($):

85000

Construction Cost Per Square Foot ($):

Total Equity ($):

600000

Portion from Private Investment Sources ($):

500000

Funding Sources/Uses:

Foundations

State Government

Other Sources/Uses

Foundation Support ($):

Hudson Foundation & Wisconsin Energy $70,000

CDBG Support:

none

HOME Support:

none

Local Government Support:

in kind only

State Government Support:

Michigan Cool Cities Grant $100,000

Federal Government Support:

none

Other Support:

Individuals $ 500,000 and in kind $1,300,000

Other Tax Credits:

Bank Debt ($):

Links / Images / Attachments

Links:

Soo Theatre Project, Inc [2]

Photographs (up to 10):

Photographs.pdf [3]

Marketing Brochures/Press Clips/Advertisements:

revised Marketing Brochure-Press Clips-Advertisements.pdf [4]

Submit:

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