Columbus Council decides to ‘back away’ for now on buying historic Liberty Theatre
The historic Liberty Theatre was on the precipice of being purchased and revitalized by the Columbus Consolidated Government on Tuesday when a councilor asked for a delay in the process.
District 3 Councilor Bruce Huff requested the delay, and said that since a February 25 council meeting where the council had discussed obtaining the theater, he had received calls from “new players” who were interested in obtaining, revitalizing and running the Liberty.
Huff said he would have the group put together a plan and sit down with the city manager and mayor before bringing it to council.
“Some of the people that called me were interested possibly in donating some of their services, them being legally bonded in that particular field,” he said.
Hugley said he would “gladly yield” to the group.
“If there is a group who has what it takes to save it, the city needs to back away because we’re not looking for another facility,” Hugley said.
Mayor Skip Henderson said the city will need to act quickly if the group falls through to get the Liberty on a projects list for the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax vote.
“I would much rather see a private entity own that thing...I just hope we can compress that time frame,” Henderson said. “The worst case scenario is that nothing happens.”
Huff was given a deadline of May for the group to get a plan together.
“Whatever needs to be done to stop the gradual deterioration of the Liberty Theater, I think the majority of us are on board for that,” said Pops Barnes, District 1 councilor. “However...we need to have a drop-dead date where we can know the individuals do have the money to do that.”
Hugley said he would no longer be involved in the process unless he hears from a council member that they want to bring the purchase back to the table.
Last year, former Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh motioned for council to have city staff conduct a study to determine if the city should acquire the Liberty Theatre.
She said she had grown up in the theater, served on the theater’s boards and stayed in touch with the people working there over the years.
“It’s our jewel and our crown,” she told council on October 29, 2019. “I think we need to save the Liberty Theatre.”
Repairs would cost $3 million
The theater is currently owned by the Liberty Theatre Cultural Center Inc. under leadership of Shae Anderson, who serves as executive director.
Once part of the “glittering strip” of the historically black Liberty District, the theater opened in 1924 as the epicenter for entertainment, hosting the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Waters and Lena Horne.
The Liberty fell into disrepair in the 1970s. A $1 million grant enabled the theater to reopen in 1996, but 24 years later, the theater is again in dire need of repairs.
Now, $3 million will be needed to bring the facility back to where it needs to be, City Manager Pam Hodge told council February 25.
Upgrades needed include:
Fixes to major roof issues
Repair of severe water damage
Working fire alarm and fire protection systems
Working HVAC units
Electrical system repairs
Theater lighting replacements
Theater A/V replacements
Kitchen renovation
Exterior improvements
Upgrades to interior finishes
Pavement of loading dock
The renovations could be funded by money raised through a new SPLOST, which the city will place on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Council has not yet approved a list of projects that would be paid for with the sales tax money, an estimated $350 million raised over 10 years.
Other funding options include a $50,000 historic preservation grant from the Fox Theater Institute, which was awarded to the theater in 2019 to help replace the roof. If owned by the city, the theater could also be eligible for a One Georgia Special Purpose Award through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which could amount to $150,000.
Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin said Tuesday the operating budget for the Liberty would be $150,000 in addition to a potential salary of $49,000 for an additional event coordinator, who would work for the civic center and be able to program events at both venues if needed.
There would be no change to the branding of the Liberty Theatre, and the council would appoint an advisory board for the theater.
This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 12:53 PM.