News File Photo Thunder Bay Theatre is still under construction, but TBT will offer summer camps for kids and teens in July at Alpena Civic Theatre.

ALPENA — Thunder Bay Theatre is progressing slowly forward with rebuilding plans, after being closed since a fire demolished the adjacent John A. Lau Saloon on July 21, 2020.

That fire caused significant smoke and water damage to the newly renovated lobby and the upstairs apartments which had been used to house professional actors during their time in Alpena.

The TBT board is now in the process of working with the City of Alpena to apply for a Community Development Block Grant, federal funding which would require a 50% match from other sources.

“Right now, the bid is a little over $1 million, to completely fix the lobby, the apartments, the roof, the facade, the outside brick work, to put in new windows and doors,” said Lisa Larkin, former TBT board president and now vice president.

Larkin explained that the board has already received $25,000 from the First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation, which would count toward the community match. She also said insurance will cover a chunk of the money needed, but not the entire amount.

The board is looking into what it would cost to also upgrade the theater seating area and stage, which were next on the agenda after the lobby’s renovation, completed in May 2019.

“We’re also looking into what it’s going to cost to fix the theater auditorium itself,” Larkin said. “That way, we could combine it all in one grant.”

After a recent hazardous material inspection was completed, now the next steps can be taken toward reopening the theater.

“We’re going to be, hopefully, getting a lot done that needs to get done,” Larkin said.

Larkin noted that once the grant funding is secured, they would work on the lobby first to expedite bringing patrons back in for live entertainment.

“We’re going to get the theater stuff done first so that we can get back up and running, and then work on everything else as things go along,” Larkin said.

Funding will come from a variety of sources.

“We’re looking at both federal and state funding,” Larkin explained. “The state grant is due June 1st … there’s really no time limit on the block grant.”

She added that the board has talked to Besser Foundation, and TBT will find out in June how much they will receive from the Besser Foundation.

“We’re going to be applying for capital improvement money from the state,” Larkin added. “The Besser Foundation, First Federal Foundation, and the state, are hopefully going to help cover our 50 percent.”

A new capital campaign will begin soon.

“Once we get those numbers, then we can really start pushing for it,” Larkin said of the community match funding.

She said a timeframe is not set yet, but that getting the lobby fixed and ready for business, “shouldn’t take long at all.”

The TBT board appreciates Alpena’s generosity in the past, and hopes for continued support.

“This community is very generous,” Larkin said.