Funding returns to Porter County opera house project
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A planned renovation of the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso once again has funding, though the project will be scaled back. Our partners at Lakeshore Public Radio report the Porter County Council this week approved $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, nearly six months after funding was pulled from the project.
The original, $7.5 million proposal for the project involved improvements to the 130-year-old building’s plumbing, electrical, HVAC and masonry.
It also included updating the former sheriff’s residence next door and building a connector between the two structures to provide accessible restrooms and expand lobby space.
But the council pulled the ARPA funding in January after amid worries that the Porter County Commissioners were trying to scale back the project. The commissioners have since proposed making the sheriff’s residence available for lease after renovations are completed.
The updated plan for the opera house, which could cost up to $4.4 million, focuses on improvements to the building’s roof, bricks, plaster, lighting and HVAC systems, according to Lakeshore Public Radio.
But Porter County Council President Jeremy Rivas urged the county commissioners to not exclude new restrooms from the project and leave them as an alternate bid should funding be available.
He said the venue needs new restrooms to accommodate people with disabilities and allow for more social distancing in the lobby.
It’s unclear whether the commissioners will agree to Rivas’ request.