Commission approves Theatre site plans

By unanimous vote and without much discussion, the Culpeper Town Planning Commission approved site plans for the State Theatre restoration and expansion project at its meeting Tuesday night.

"What I want to know is timeline," said Planning Commission Chairman Winn Carithers. "I'm just dying for a timeline."

State Theatre Foundation board member Chris Hamilton, chairman of the project's building committee, said he hoped to receive the completed construction documents by June, at which time the estimated $11 million project would be put out to bid. Beyond that, he said, they hope to open its doors in 2009, preferably in October.

First opened 70 years ago on South Main Street, the State Theatre was constructed as a vaudeville movie house and was Culpeper's first theater.

When it opens in 2009, it will be more than double its existing size, stage live performances and show movies through a unique partnership with the newly opened Library of Congress Audiovisual Center on Mount Pony.

The 21st Century State Theatre will also feature a 65-foot tall fly tower, allowing it to host professional acts and their equipment.

As part of its massive transformation, more than 18,000-square-feet will be added - mostly on the East Stevens Street side, next to the historic Lord Culpeper Hotel.

The existing theater spans about 11,000-square-feet, State Theatre Foundation Director Raven Yates told the planning commission Tuesday.

Also at the meeting, there was some discussion about the height of the fly tower since the town's zoning ordinance restricts buildings in the commercial district to four stories.

Zoning Administrator Maxie Brown said the extra height, in this case, would be allowed because a fly tower is unoccupied space "essential for holding the rigging, props and screens."

Architecturally, she compared it to a chimney, church spire or elevator shaft.

Town Council had no issues with the proposal, she said, but she wanted to bring it to light beforehand because the fly tower will be "pretty tall, certainly taller than anything around it."

At 65 feet in height, it will be at least twice as tall as the rest of the theater.

Hamilton said, "It will almost not be visible" from Main Street because of how far back the fly tower will be situated, not far from East Street.

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or .