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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Landmark reborn

Ely’s State Theater gets a makeover

Keith Vandervort
Posted 7/13/16

ELY – Visible progress on the State Theater renovation project is being made.

Parts of the downtown landmark, one of numerous projects in various stages of completion by the Ott family …

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Landmark reborn

Ely’s State Theater gets a makeover

Posted

ELY – Visible progress on the State Theater renovation project is being made.

Parts of the downtown landmark, one of numerous projects in various stages of completion by the Ott family development group around Ely, could be open as soon as next summer.

“We are working with consultants to create a multi-purpose independent theater that will show films and also have the capability of accommodating musical events and some forms of live theater,” Tanner Ott said in a reent post on Facebook.

The State Theater was built in 1936 and was owned by the Swanson family in Ely. Its designer was a noted architecture firm called Liebenberg & Kaplan, who had designed many theaters in Minnesota and other northern states.

“Our goal with this historic building is to work with the State of Minnesota and the U.S. Department of Interior Guidelines to restore the exterior and interior to its original condition. Parts of the complex could be open as soon as the summer of 2017,” Ott said.

“By incorporating the adjacent Salerno Building to the east, this independent theater operation can house an additional but smaller screening room for smaller audiences, as well as a spacious casual food/concessions component and social area that will accommodate customers before, during, and after movie screenings.”

On the second floor of the two buildings, there will be several up-to-date office/business incubation spaces.

The limestone repair project on the State Theater facade is well underway. Crews from Kovall Construction replaced some of the damaged pieces and repaired others. Tuck-pointing and cleaning are completed. Wooden beams under the marquee were replaced.

“Next door at the Salerno Building, we have been framing the interior walls and installing glass for the storefront windows,” Ott said. The new HVAC system is complete, as well as new electrical services for the two buildings. Roofers began putting a new roof on the Salerno last week.

A fresh coat of red and white paint was just applied last week, creating much excitement around town.

“The plans also include reconditioning the iconic State Theater marquee as a reminder of all the social and entertainment experiences the people of Ely have encountered for almost 80 years,” he said.