Main Street Matters, November 2014 Page: 4
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and took the project over budget.
Without this intervention and
investment, the Lynn Theater
probably would not be standing
today.
The greatest challenge of this
project was the cost to renovate
the theater and get it operational
again. The building sat vacant for
about 30 years, during which time
there was a lot of expressed interest
in the building but the current
property owner was unwilling to
sell it.
In 2009, the Gonzales Economic
Development Corporation took
possession of the Lynn Theater
and sold it. The new owner put
about $150,000 into the building
turning it into a live theater venue
and producing several live shows
which brought some interesting
traveling shows to Gonzales.
In 2012, the Gonzales Economic
Board took control of the building
back and leased it out with an
option to buy to a family operated
business that upgraded and
digitized the theater. Although
there was a lot of turnover in
recent years, the theater is now
a viable business and a valuablecommunity asset. This process
shows that it took the dedication
of numerous people and investors,
and public-private partnerships to
bring life back to the Lynn Theater.
Currently, the theater seats 400
people and first-run movies
are shown Wednesday through
Monday. The operator hosts a
free movie on Confederate Square
twice a year and runs $1 movies
on Friday nights during football
season. After all this time without
a theater, it took the citizens ofGonzales to realize
they did not have to
go out of town for a
dinner and a movie.
With new restaurants
in downtown, Gonzales
now has a destination
for locals' right in the
heart of Main Street.
Find out about events
and happenings on the
Lynn Theater Facebook
page.
Barnhill Center at
the Historic Simon
Theater, Brenham,
Texas
Written by Jennifer
Eckermann, Main Street
Manager, Brenham Lynn Th
Street pr
It has been more than
a decade since Brenham Main
Street Historical Preservation, Inc.
(BMSHP)-a 501(c)(3) non-
profit entity-was organized to
preserve the architectural heritage
of Downtown Brenham.
Soon after purchasing the Simon
Theatre in 2003, a theatre
consultant, whose company
managed and operated renovatedtheatres across the country, was
hired to help determine the et
use for this historic property.
Following Town Hall public
meetings, with representatives
from throughout the community,
the board felt confident that
downtown conference center
would contribute to the economic
and cultural vitality of our
community, and a Business
was developed.
Little did the board know
time, that it would lose its-4L
um
Lynn Theater, 2011, Image Courtesy Gonzales Main
Street program
ai Tom Bullock, Sr., much too soon,
on, Inc. and that it would take as long as it
has to complete the renovation of
to this historic property.
Heritage
Initial fundraising led to work on
the building's exterior, including
Simon repointing of the brick, and
replication of the marquee and
y neon sign.
ovatedwas Next, a new roof was installed,
he best and in 2010, the board made the
ty. decision to move forward with
ic Phase I, which included the lobby
Ives and what were shown on the
unity, original plans as Retail 1 and 2.
ta This phase was completed at the
ter end of 2010, and the Convention
onomic and Visitors Bureau moved in, as
was suggested in the Business Plan.
sPlan
The original Master Plan
Scope, designed by preservation
at the architecture firm, ARCHITEXAS,
leader, included required ADA restrooms4 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Texas Main Street Program
www.thc.state.tx.us
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Texas Historical Commission. Main Street Matters, November 2014, periodical, November 2014; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1551313/m1/4/?q=waco+tornado: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.