Big Changes in Store for Rome's Capitol Theatre

    This is a picture from around the last time the Capitol Theatre in Rome was last renovated. That was 1939 and since that time the marquee has been replaced with this sign in front. But thanks to the quarter million dollars awarded by the state the marquee is coming back along with more renovations.

            Executive Director of the Capitol Theatre Art Pierce says, "We decided to go ahead with a restoration and then gradually we decided to add performance spaces, a lot of that happened when we found the additional buildings were available."

            Not only is the outside being renovated but the inside of the theatre will be as well. And the Capitol is buying 3 additional buildings. The theatre says it's all part of the reemergence of the city.

            Development Director Kylie Pierce says, "A lot of great things are happening in Rome and I think what this project and this award is going to do is reiterate how Rome is coming back and to highlight some of the other great things going on in town as well as our project."

            The Capitol was part of the priority plan for the Mohawk Valley this year and both the Council and the Theatre believe they will have a greater economic impact than just ticket sales.

            Pierce added, "The arts expenditures from people who go out and see shows are about twice as much as a normal person going out to do normal activities, they go and have dinner they stay in hotels, so it's all trickle down economic impact really."