W.D. PACKARD Music hall in line for windfall of $3.1 million from Ohio, U.S.

Most of the hall's mechanical systems are the originals from 1955.
WARREN -- Suddenly the W.D. Packard Music Hall Board of Trustees faces the prospect of a very full checkbook.
The landmark music hall at 1703 Mahoning Ave., N.W., appears to be in line for $1.1 million from Ohio and $2 million from Uncle Sam.
The dollars are in the funding pipelines and being backed by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and state Rep. Randy Law of Warren, R-64th.
The board met Friday and made plans for using $100,000 from the state's capital budget secured by Law. The board has a "pretty good handle" on how it could use an additional $1 million from the state and needs to fine-tune its plans for the federal $2 million.
"We need to start discussions right away if that money comes in," said John Bentz, music hall trustee chairman.
The hall has a plan as large as $8 million or $9 million for a complete overhaul -- a project larger than the city can afford.
Right now its annual budget is $557,157, of which $250,000 comes from the city and the rest the hall generates through rent, sales, services, concessions and liquor sales.
Running down
It's an impressive but old facility.
Christopher Stephenson, hall manager, said most of the hall's mechanical systems are the originals from 1955; the ceiling has never been painted. The gas bill was $9,423 -- 41 percent of February's expenses.
"There's a lot of energy to be saved here. Just off the cuff the boilers you have here are about 50 percent efficient," Doug Abbatiello of Olsavsky-Jaminet Architects told the trustees.
He was on hand to address plans to use the $100,000 to renovate "just plain old, dilapidated" dressing rooms, of which there are four: two for stars and two for groups. The renovations would involve renewed finishes, new tile and carpet, window and counter replacements, handicapped accessibility, introduction of air conditioning and other changes.
"They're in a state now, if we get a performer here of some stature ... it's just not suitable for them to prepare in," Abbatiello said.
Also being discussed are renovation of restrooms, creating a road manager's office, a break room for the Packard Band, and a study of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for energy savings.
"We've got $100,000 from the state and in order to get that money we need to have a project that meets that figure," Bentz said.
Million-dollar bond
Also announced, in February, was Law's desire for the music hall to use the $1 million state bond that has been pledged to the long-awaited Robins Theater renovation in downtown Warren. The state's capital bill preserved a future $1 million bond issue, promised over the past five years, for renovation of the theater.
This $1 million would add a pit elevator that would allow easier access to a lower level for big pieces of equipment; an elevator for people, especially elderly patrons; and a new stage rigging system. "We do have a pretty good handle on those projects," Bentz said.
The U.S. House approved a $284 billion, six-year bill Thursday that would bring $2 million to renovate the music hall and $1 million to expand the neighboring National Packard Museum.
After the U.S. House and Senate work out final details of the bill, it will go to President Bush for approval. This six-year highway and transit bill died last year because the House and Senate couldn't come to an agreement on the amount of funding. Also, Bush threatened a veto after expressing concern about the cost.