Downtown Grand Island

	Director’s Note: Welcome to Downtown Grand Island! I am Melissa Timmons and I began my work in our downtown as Director in December. I love Downtown Grand Island – the rich history and heritage, wonderful restaurants, unique retail spots, and fun things to do and see. Downtown Grand Island invites you to take a stroll along our sidewalks and enjoy! Eat, shop, play is our motto and we strive to fulfill it every day! Keep an eye out for upcoming retail events, activities and concerts, Clean-Up days, and other things going on. It’s a great time to be Downtown. Come join us! Melissa
	EVENTS Downtown Trick-or-Treat October 29th Downtown Old Fashioned Christmas November 18th

	NEWS Congratulations to the Downtown Window Display Winners. You showed your Downtown Pride! 3D category: 1st. Place Heartland Antiqued Mall, 2nd. Place On the Avenue Antiques, 3rd. Place Legal Aid of Nebraska. Painted category: 1st. Place, Grand Island Independent, Honorable Mention, Contryman & Associates. 'Grand Plan' Hopes to Restore Theater's Facade, Interior By Amy Schweitzer amy.schweitzer@theindependent.com Published: Saturday, July 10, 2010 7:12 PM CDT The Grand Foundation has a “Grand Plan” to restore the Grand Theatre to its former glory. Tom Ziller, chairman for the capital campaign called The Grand Plan, said it plans to restore the exterior facade of the 1937 theater to as close to original as is practical. The plan is to resurface the facade with reflective glass tiling similar to those in 1937, recreate the classic neon designs on the signs and marquee using the original construction and color. The interior also will be restored to near original, Ziller said. The box office will be returned to its original location at the center of the theater entrance. The carpet and lighting in the lobby will be replaced with unique Art Deco replicas and the auditorium seating will be restored to classic cinema condition. The one thing that will not be restored to its original is the projector. Ziller said many current movies will soon no longer be available in film format. “The movie industry is changing,” Ziller said. “It can to the point that either we invest in a digital projector or not show current movies.” With the new format, the theater would also be capable of playing 3D movies. The restoration will primarily focus on physical improvements. But in a larger sense, it will restore the classic cinema experience to Grand Island moviegoers. Although there had been movie houses at 316 W. Third before, it was on May 7, 1937, when the Grand Theatre opened to moviegoers lining the streets to see “A Star Is Born” starring Janet Gaynor. The largest neon sign in Grand Island graced the facade, which was built entirely of colored glass. The marquee proclaimed “Nebraska’s Finest and Most Modern Theatre!” In 1985, the Grand Theatre closed, but just a year later it was rescued to show classic movies. In 1992 the theater became a first-run cinema once again. In 2004, competition from modern multiplexes forced the theater to close again. A small group of business owners formed The Grand Foundation, Inc., to save the last surviving movie palace in Grand Island. The foundation has been working on the theater for about five years, repairing the roof and making small-scale renovations such as a stage extension. “We saved it from being shut down,” Ziller said. “Now it’s time to tackle our next goal.” Ziller said they will need about $830,000 for all three projects: the facade, the interior and the digital conversion. He said they already have raised about $275,000. “And we’ve just gotten started,” he said. About $505,000 will go toward restoring the exterior, another $203,000 to restoring the interior and $122,000 to update the projection system. The foundation will formally launch the campaign July 24 and will include a website, www.SupportTheGrandPlan.com. The website will create a hub of information where donors can learn about fundraising events, read about campaign progress, and even make donations directly online. Ever dream of owning your own restaurant? Here is a packaged deal that may help your dream come true. Click here for more details. Milestone Gallery Article from the Independent Bartenbach Gallery Celebrates 130th Business Anniversary Movies at the Grand Theatre every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at 7:15 p.m. Click for Movie Schedule.