Newsletter: Issue #02
Subscribe to the Newsletter, here!
A rendering of the fully rehabilitated Fox West Theatre at dusk. (Image courtesy of CSNA Architects.)
It’s time to unlock the final $450,000 of our Community Revitalization Grant Award. On October 18, 2021, we received notice of a $3.45 million Community Revitalization Grant from Colorado Creative Industries for Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of the Fox West Theatre. One-to-one matching funds are a requirement of the grant. We have secured nearly $3 million of the needed matching funds through additional grant awards, seat sales, and other fundraising efforts but we need to match the remaining $450,000. Now through December 31, 2022, your gift can make an even bigger difference and help us reach our matching goal. This will put us in great shape to begin Phase 2 of the rehabilitation.
Push to Phase 2: Grant Matching Campaign. Every $1 you give for the rehabilitation of the Theatre provides $2 in matching funds. If you donate $100, it will have the effect of providing $200 towards this transformative project. Your gift will ensure we can secure these funds!
$5,000 – restores and resurrects a door in the historic theatre
$2,000 – restores an original exterior window
$200 – Pays for one day of labor for a construction worker
$100 – Pays for the restoration of 100 bricks
$25 – Would have bought you 10 orchestra-level tickets to the Sonora Grand Opera on March 21, 1920
OR
Purchase a seat, Double your donation. Another way to support the matching funds campaign is to participate in our "Save a Seat" campaign. During this matching fund season (through December 31, 2022), you can purchase a seat and know that your impact is doubled. Commemorate a loved one, honor a family or organization with a seat that will carry on their unique legacy. Each sponsored seat will be adorned with a personalized plaque with text of your choice. Seats available for $1500, $1000, $500 or $100 (depending on the location of the seat). See the seat map, pricing and more details, here.
"I purchased two seats in the Fox West Theatre's "Save a Seat" campaign. I chose two seats that Ed, my husband, and I always used to sit in when we were teenagers and had just started dating."
– Karen Griego, City Councilperson, and owner of Griego Insurance Agency
Pictured above is a the street front façade of the Fox West Theatre as originally built. The storefront on the right is the east retail bay. (Image courtesy of History Colorado. Date unknown.)
Construction Update
Wainscoting recently installed in the east retail space. (Image courtesy of Mike Valentine.)
Recent work. Much of the work performed in recent weeks has been focused on the east retail bay in anticipation of the opening of Trinidad Tea Co. in that space this summer. Over the decades, this retail space has been home to a drugstore, an office, a coffee shop/soda fountain, and most recently the Sal-Mar Dress Shop. The shop was opened by Marie and Salma Sawaya, who owned the Fox West Theatre from 1959 until their deaths in 2009 and 2011, and were known for their love of fashion and sense of style.
Historic Integrity. One of the primary goals of this redevelopment project is to maintain the historic integrity of the Fox West Theatre. Consequently, work on the historic elements of the east retail bay has included the patching of tile work to closely match the existing original tile, painting of surfaces with colors analyzed to complement the original polychrome floor tiles, and the installation of wainscoting and crown molding as was installed when the space was built in 1908. Along with that work, improvements to modernize the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are being made with a focus on energy efficiency.
"We feel honored to be opening Trinidad Tea Co. in the Fox West Theatre building. Serving the community with tea and handmade, small batch goodies from locally grown spices, herbs, and herbal oddities in the first space to open in the Theatre in well over a decade is a very special opportunity. We are excited to soon be able to share this beautifully rehabilitated space and its history with the people of Trinidad and its visitors."
– Christa Franks, clinical herbalist, holistic nutritionist, grower, and soil lover
Congratulations Mike Valentine
City Manager Retires. Mike Valentine worked for the City of Trinidad for over 30 years. The last two years he served as City Manager and in that capacity became an integral part of the Fox West Theatre team. His commitment to the project was unwavering and his sense of humor lightened our moods when most needed. We are deeply grateful for his leadership. He will be missed!
Funding Partners
Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Department of Local Affairs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment
History Colorado's State Historical Fund
Boettcher Foundation
El Pomar Foundation
Many thanks to our partners that have supported our project through generous grant awards!
Fox West Theatre Alliance Board of Directors
Curt Wallach and Suzanne Magnuson, Co-Presidents
Gina Cimino, Vice President
Myland Pride, Treasurer
Stephanie Bakken, Secretary
Jerry Campbell, Member
Christina Duran, Member
Christa Franks, Member
Kim Lucero, Member
Jim Montoya, Member
Dora Silver, Member
Lou Simpleman, Member
Jo Ann Simpleman, Member
Project Team
Custom Plaster (conservation services): Greg Marsters
Historic Stage Services (scenery restoration): Wendy Waszut-Barrett
Theatre Consultants Collaborative: Paul Sanow and Robert Long
Jensen Hughes (code and life safety consulting): Sean Donahue
EverGreene Architectural Arts (historic element restoration): Jeff Greene
HCDA Engineering (structural engineer): Steve Horner
GMS Consulting (civil engineering): Ken White
VMWilson Consulting (fundraising): Vickie Wilson
City of Trinidad (building owner): Mayor Phil Rico, Audra Garrett (Interim City Manager), City Council
Urban Neighborhoods, Inc. (project management): Dana Crawford, Chris Smith, Sara Hubbard, Lisa Evans, Stephanie Bakken
CSNA Architects (architecture): Gregory Friesen, Diana Esquivel-Gamboa, Taylor Mueller, Ken Thomas, Alicia Gonzales
Trinidad Construction Group (General Contractor): Karl Gabrielson, Jim Perrotti, Sam McDonald
IMEG (mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering): Ken Urbanek, Mark Zappanti, Walker Jones, Carrie Burgart, Jacob Nicol
Agave Landscapes & Masonry (brick restoration): Thaddeus Hust
The Fox West Theatre Alliance
The Fox West Theatre Alliance, a 501(c)3 organization, was established to enrich the lives of residents of Trinidad and its visitors. The Alliance is also organized to oversee the rehabilitation efforts and manage the historic Fox West Theatre as a leading performance, educational, and gathering venue. The Alliance strives to strengthen and energize the community and to serve as a catalyst for cultural and economic growth.