By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — Developers are preparing to take the first step toward reviving the former Times Theater in downtown into a music and entertainment venue.
GT Partners, a subsidiary of Rockford-based Joseph James Partners, plans to begin work later this spring on the brick masonry and windows on the second-floor exterior of the building. Scaffolding was placed around the building in late January to prepare for that work, and construction bids are being evaluated now.
It’s a small step in what’s still expected to be a long overall process to bring the theater at 224 N. Main St. back to life.
More news: Rockford to begin rebuilding School Street next week
Bricks will be removed and reinstalled after the second-floor walls are fortified, according to Peter Provenzano, CEO of Joseph James Partners.
“We’re not sure if it was ever built correctly to begin with, and we want to put the right kind of vertical support in those walls,” said Provenzano, whose company has owned the property since 2006. “Bricks are coming down completely and we’re going to fortify that wall.”
The goal to redevelop the 86-year-old former one-screen movie theater got a boost in August 2022 when developers won a nearly $3 million state grant to help fund the roughly $15 million project. Then, in April 2023, an additional $500,000 in state funding was set aside for the project.
Provenzano said they still need to finalize a grant agreement with the state before the rest of project can move forward. He also warned that as they bid future phases of the project there are likely higher costs than estimated when the plans were pushed into the public eye in late 2021.
It was December 2021 when GT Partners unveiled its plans and launched a petition campaign to garner support to restore the theater, which was built in 1938.
“These kinds of projects are really tough, which is why the grant money and the additional public support that’s already been provided is so necessary,” Provenzano said. “In the current environment, we’ve been reminding ourselves and all the stakeholders of this project that there’s the risk to realize additional cost burden on this project as we get in updated bids.”
The plan is to create a mid-sized entertainment venue to handle acts drawing between 650 and 900 people. Entertainment would range from music to comedy and cabaret.
It’s intended to serve acts that draw hundreds, but not enough to fill the 2,315-seat Coronado Performing Arts Center, 2,000 capacity Hard Rock Live venue or roughly 8,000-seat BMO Center.
The historic detail and Art Moderne design within the theater and lobby would be restored as part of the overall project.
“We’ll continue to keep everyone apprised of our progress and remain committed to help bring to life this iconic property in this community,” Provenzano said.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas