Don't Underestimate The Value of Your Historic Marquee

OPEN FORUM SUBMISSION - THE LEAGUE OF HISTORIC AMERICAN THEATRES
By REES Project Co-chair Randy Danielson

I offer my thoughts on the value of an historic theater marquee especially in rural America...

We began this journey to restore the iconic REES Theatre, located in Plymouth, Indiana in December of 2016, as a band of twelve community minded individuals with specific skill sets and professional support mechanisms including resources, in legal, accounting, marketing, architectural and graphic design, printing, grant writing, as members of the performing arts, education and simply great hosts.  All handpicked but for the undertaker, me.   By March of 2017 we were members of LHAT which has been a wealth of information.  That Spring we attended the LHAT national conference held in Ft. Wayne, Indiana just 60 miles from us.  There, it was made clear that we had embarked on a 5 - 10 year process and at that time we were advised NOT to restore or operate the marquee until the end of our fundraising and renovations as it would short change efforts within the community thinking that all was complete inside as well.  

The REES opened in 1940 as a cinema and closed in 2009.  Fortunately for us the entire marquee was rebuilt in 1987 with a historic preservation grant through the State of Indiana. The facade was also restored at that time.  However now 30 years later and having been unattended for eight years, the marquee needed attention with neon repairs and replacement of chasing lamps. We proceeded as planned because our rural community needed a boost of inspiration and hope.  Downtown merchants supported this decision and we all agreed that proceeding with the exterior first would add to the streetscape especially at night and become a catalyst for continued strives in quality of place initiatives. Our platform was built on sustainability and in creating a venue that would appeal to and serve generations to come. The energy company jumped in and replaced all the chasing lamps with LED bulbs that recreated the original effect and provided ongoing energy savings.  An electrical supplier donated a new timer/processing device that allows it to operate automatically and with various functions depending on the night of the week.  Community support:  The Marshall County Community Foundation in 2017 provided unprecedented Spring & Fall grants in a single calendar year.  The City of Plymouth, provided a 20% rebate grant that applied to the facade, masonry restoration and roof replacement.  In 2018 the City followed with a Re-development grant and the Northern Indiana Regional Cities Initiative offered an additional grant.  We have enjoyed a grassroots effort with now over 1000 individuals, businesses and corporations who have partnered with The REES Committee through the completion of the first three phases of renovations.  In 2019 Plymouth was named the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Community of the Year. Later in December, the Indiana Office of Rural and Community Affairs awarded Marshall County Crossroads the distinguished Stellar Communities Award for Great Hometowns.  In the Stellar application, The REES had been chosen as the hallmark project for Plymouth, the County seat.  This will allow us to enter our fourth and final phase that will allow its re-opening in the Fall of '21.

So, where was I going with all of this.  Oh yes, the value of a marquee.  In just over three years the operable REES marquee has produced over $11,000. of income with personal messages and monthly sponsorships alone.  Beyond that, it has built countless relationships that have brought this project the enjoyment of over $195,000.00 of in kind gifts of merchandise and services including one family's gift of a rooftop solar installation that will produce 80-90% of our energy needs when we become operational.  Relationships equal success (we learned that at the first LHAT conference) our historic marquee in the rural heartland of Indiana has quietly built relationships for The REES, inspired a community and caught the attention of State and Federal agencies.  It has truly become the community's message center and greatly appreciated.

Therefore, my advice is this, check the wiring, replace and clean the bulbs and neon and power those beauties up because no matter the condition, they are a beacon of hope for any community or neighborhood and they all look awesome at night!