Open house set this Saturday at shuttered Lincoln Theater in Port Angeles
Published 12:01 am Friday, September 25, 2015
PORT ANGELES — For the first time since it was closed nearly 18 months ago, the former Lincoln Theater, 132 E. First St., will open its doors to the public.
From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Light Up the Lincoln team, a band of volunteers led by fundraiser and event producer Scott Nagel, will host a free open house with cartoons on the big screen and free popcorn, candy and soft drinks in the lobby.
Nagel and crew also will post enlarged drawings of the “Port Angeles theater project,” their vision of the Lincoln as a nonprofit film and performing arts center, much like converted cinemas across the West.
Local architect Michael Gentry, part of the project’s advisory group, has created renderings of a 480-seat venue for concerts, dance performances, plays, conferences and company parties.
Also during Saturday’s open house, Nagel will give formal presentations on the Lincoln’s future. They are set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Last winter, he offered $235,000 to the Lincoln’s owner, Sun Basin Theatres of Wenatchee — but didn’t plan to buy the place for himself.
Instead, he and Karen Powell, his wife and business partner, began the Light Up the Lincoln campaign to raise the purchase price in donations from individuals, businesses and foundations.
So far, they’ve brought in $182,000 in pledges.
The Lincoln’s marquee, meanwhile, continues to read “Building for Sale” and give real estate agent Dan Gase’s phone number.
It’ll have to stay that way, Nagel said, until he completes his fundraising.
A number of prospective buyers have walked through the theater, Gase has said, but Nagel is the one who has put together a concrete plan for its rebirth.
During Saturday afternoon’s open house, visitors will have a chance to ask questions and make pledges, Nagel emphasized.
Before and after the event, he can be reached at 360-808-3940, while more information about Light Up the Lincoln is at www.RevitalizePortAngeles.org.
