Packard hall to unveil renovations

STAFF REPORT

WARREN – W.D. Packard Music Hall will have an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday to allow for public input about its $2.2 million renovation program.

Christopher Stephenson, auditorium manager, said this will be the first time the 52-year-old building has been renovated.

Stephenson said the construction cost is nearly $1.8 million with the balance in architectural and consulting fees.

The hall received $1.5 million through federal money, $575,000 from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission and the balance through community development block grant funds and private donations, the manager said.

Most of the construction work, Stephenson explained, must be done during the summer and won’t get under way until the summer 2009. It is scheduled to be completed by December 2009.

During the open house, residents will be able to provide their ideas of what should be included in the project, Stephenson added.

The plan includes modernization of the stage area, including work to the rigging system, replacement of stage floor and major electrical work. A new backup generator will be installed as will an audio, video and lighting system.

Also, work will be done on the stage deck, stage door, basement vault wall and storage room.

A new stage roof and curtains, and a pit or freight elevator are intended. If funds are available, there will be a stage air-conditioning system, Stephenson added.