WARREN City will seek funding in state capital budget

The city previously received $1 million each for the amphitheater and Robins Theater.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City officials hope a trip to the state capital garners funding for several ongoing capital projects.
Michael D. Keys, community development director, and Heather McMahon, the department's urban design and grants coordinator, plan to travel to Columbus next month to lobby state officials for funding in the state capital budget.
Four years ago, Keys, Mayor Hank Angelo and other city officials made the trip asking for about $10 million and received $1 million each for the Robins Theater and Warren Community Amphitheater projects.
Two years ago, the city tried again but didn't receive any funding for projects.
Keys plans to pitch the Robins and amphitheater projects to Gov. Bob Taft's budget director again next month. He's also asked officials at Packard Music Hall and the Packard Museum to prepare information to present for funding for those projects.
In the last request for capital funding, $9 million was requested to renovate Packard Music Hall and $2 million for an addition at Packard Museum. Since then, the music hall's board has undertaken some of its renovation, including revamping the lobby and adding a ticket office, which could reduce the amount that facility is requesting.
How much for theaters
Keys said that he'll likely ask for between $2.5 million to $3 million for the amphitheater and about $6 million for Robins. Those amounts take into account money already received for the project, including the previous grant awards and money raised by the Warren Rotary Club for the amphitheater.
The amphitheater, which is part of the Riverwalk, opened in August. A committee is working on bylaws for operating it.
The long-term goal is to extend the Riverwalk trail through Packard Park and wind it along the Mahoning River from the city's northern to southern boundaries.
The next two projects the city hopes to finish are restoration of the exterior of the Kinsman House, built in 1834, and building a roof-covered stage for the amphitheater.
A steering committee of elected officials and people versed in historic preservation or the arts will review proposals from architects interested in working on the Robins Theater restoration project.
The city also received a $50,000 state grant for preliminary design work for Robins. The East Market Street theater opened in 1923 and closed in the 1970s.
The theater is the largest and only surviving movie house within Warren and was one of the state's first structures of its size built specifically for the film industry, according to information distributed to architects.
The idea for the restoration is to transform the theater into a performing arts center and civic auditorium.
"We're just crossing our fingers and hoping they toss us a bone," Keys said.
denise.dick@vindy.com