PUBLISHED ON July 2, 2008
Yakima Herald-Republic
by CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
The expansion of the Capitol Theatre is officially under way.
The Yakima City Council on Tuesday approved a contract with the Traho architecture firm that for all intents and purposes marks the official startup of the theater's ambitious expansion plan.
Work actually began last month on the relocation of utilities behind the theater, a downtown landmark since the 1920s that is seen by civic leaders as the most natural replacement of the defunct Yakima Mall as the city's new heart and soul.
But the hiring of the architects was hailed by city officials as the moment the theater not only changes shape but helps change the shape of downtown Yakima.
"Good luck and go forward, Steve," Councilwoman Kathy Coffey said to theater CEO Steve Caffery, who was in attendance and is the driving force behind the expansion plan.
At $12 million, the expansion plan includes the construction of two new buildings -- a production facility behind the theater and a new box office/pavilion.
To make way for the pavilion, the old Wilson Building at the corner of Yakima Avenue and Third Street must come down. The demolition is planned for next year.
That price tag, however, does not include the creation of a plaza in front of the theater, which would necessitate the closure of Third Street and is expected to cost another $5 million.
The council has signaled its desire to close Third Street but has yet to make a final decision pending required public hearings on the subject.
In other business Tuesday, the council:
* Approved the paperwork on a project that will see the construction of four pedestrian crossings on busy streets, including one across from the state Department of Social and Health Services building on North 16th Avenue.
The bulk of the $3 million is in the form of a bond and will pay for the repaving of a stretch of South Third Avenue from downtown Chestnut Avenue to Mead Avenue.
