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On February 14th, Ironwood city officials received a check for $130,718 for Phase II of Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's façade improvement initiative to help fix up downtown areas. To briefly recap from a blog a week or so ago: Nine building will be refurbished. The city expects to award bids on all the projects in Phase I and II later in February and two projects have been completed to date.
To continue with positive downtown Ironwood news, make a note to check out an article in the Ironwood Daily Globe Progress Edition scheduled for publication on February 28th. Deb Gotham, one of the many hard working and dedicated individuals involved with the Historic Ironwood Theatre has written the article.
The Theatre operates as an independent, non-profit organization, which leases the building from the City of Ironwood. It receives no local tax for its support, so assumes all operating and maintenance costs. This is funded by ticket sales, user fees, a number of fundraising events,  local business support and a grant given by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affiairs.
The theater was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1985, and in 1986 the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) was awarded a grant by the State of Michigan to begin an extensive renovation process to the Theatre. Completed renovations include the seats in the main auditorium and balcony, carpeting, restoration of the ceiling mural, wall and beam decorations. There is also a new stage floor, heating and state of the art lighting and sound systems.
Two other important "restorations" within the Theatre is of the Barton Organ and the  Proscenium Mural, both pictured here. Read more about both these beautiful features of the Ironwood Theatre and see more and larger photos of the organ, mural and all the renovation process at www.IronwoodTheatre.net/theatre_history.html.
….and in the spirit of full disclosure: the author of this Blog also maintains the theatre's web site!
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