Lebowsky Center to be rebuilt!

posted by steelbeard1 on July 3, 2007 at 10:40 am

OWOSSO, MI — The Owosso Community Players' Board of Directors have decided to rebuilt the fire gutted and now partially demolished Lebowsky Center. The theater was gutted by a fire blamed on arson on February 13.

At the press conference held Wednesday, June 27, OCP President John Morovitz said the group will go ahead with Phase One of the rebuilding which involves demolishing unusable parts of the theater, cleanup, building new exteriors walls, a new roof, a n ew rooftop heating unit, basic lighting, restoration of electrical systems, new exterior doors along Park Street and replacing damaged portions of the adjacent Hoddy Building.

OCP officials hope to recycle some of the bricks salvaged during the demolition for use in reconstructing the wall along Park Street. Phase One rebuilding costs are estimated at $476,000, all but $100,000 covered by insurance. The OCP will launch a fundraising campaign to raise the $100,000.

Ted Hornus of Sascon Inc., the project’s general contractor, said the company plans to start work on Phase One in July and hopes to completely enclose the building before the snow falls.

Further information from the Argus-Press at and from WJRT, including video.

Theaters in this post

Comments (2)

MiltonSmith
MiltonSmith on July 3, 2007 at 12:05 pm

That is such great news to hear. Though it may not look the same, they are going to rebuild, which means some of the “spirit” of the old building will live on. Also, it sounds like they are using the opportunity to make the building better that before, making lemonade out of lemons.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on July 6, 2007 at 11:30 am

Good for them! It takes a lot of character to come back after something like that. Much respect.

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