DATE: Thursday, April 10, 1997              TAG: 9704100470

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

DATELINE: HAMPTON                           LENGTH:   26 lines

HAMPTON CITY COUNCIL TO GIVE $75,000 FOR THEATER RENOVATION

The Hampton City Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to contribute $75,000 to the Charles H. Taylor Arts Foundation Inc. for restoration of the American Theatre in Phoebus. The money will cover half the cost of the building and design.

The former movie theater will be restored as a small performing arts center seating 400 people. The 89-year-old building will become a local venue for classical and jazz music, cabaret and films, and is to be operated by the Hampton Arts Commission.

The commission secured an option to buy the theater that had expired, but was extended to incorporate Wednesday's council vote. To complete the renovation, the commission must raise $1.5 million. It has asked the city council to eventually contribute half that amount, or $750,000.

Council members Mamie Locke and Paige V. Washington Jr. opposed Wednesday's resolution. Both have said more time was needed to weigh the foundation's request against proposals for renovation of Ogden Hall at Hampton University and for a new performance hall at Christopher Newport University.

City staff are studying the three proposals to make recommendations for any future funding.

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