Hurricane Ian: One Year Later

2023 • HURRICANE IAN: ONE YEAR LATER • 35 941-629-6651 Port Charlotte: 590 Prineville St. 941-698-9769 South Gulf Cove: 7621 Sawyer Cir. www.murdockstonesetc.com "We Will Rock You!" • Firelite, It's Back!• Fill Dirt• Mulch (Bag & Bulk)• Topsoil• River Rock •SteppingStones•Gravel•Slate & Flagstones•Rip Rap•Edging •Euro Cobble Pavers•Sand (Paver & DOT)•DrivewayStones •Figurines•Lava•Splash Block•Granite•Railroad Ties •Crimson Chips•BahiaSod•Crushed & WholeShell For All Your Landscaping Needs $ 10 OFF DELIVERY With Coupon Code: HGUIDE adno=3901465-1 VENICE THEATRE'S restoration on track Kim Cool Our Town Editor ENICE — Nearly a year after Hurricane Ian's arrival, costs mount on the restoration of Venice Theatre's main stage. "Since the storm, we have raised $3.2 million," said Eric Watters, the theater's director of development. "That included an initial matching grant of $500,000 from the board and another $500,000 from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to fund the theater's payroll for its 28 employees." The theater will receive some $5.5 million from insurance but escalating construction costs, new requirements, and such things as water removal have pushed the total to some $13 million. A temporary 132-seat theater was created in the Raymond Center 55 days after Ian. The 90-seat Pinkerton was reopened in January, but that income does not match the loss of income from the 432-seat William H. Jervey Jr. mainstage auditorium. Some fundraising events have been moved to the Venice Community Center and Venice Performing Arts Center, yet rental costs and fewer available dates seriously reduce profit potential. Loss of income from outside rentals is an additional loss for the theater. Reconstruction has been delayed by FPL's relocation of power lines behind the building. That will enable the theater to extend the back of the building by 10 feet. Those lines served businesses removed when the KMI bridge was expanded. The theater is seeking money to strengthen the foundation and the walls of the 1926-era building against a future storm but insurance does not cover that. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated $201 million to Sarasota County in disaster recovery funds for "unmet needs resulting from Hurricane Ian." While most is earmarked for homeowner reimbursement, affordable housing and the South River Road evacuation corridor, some $45 million has been earmarked for city and county facilities and not-for-profits. "We have reason to be encouraged we will share in that money," Watters said. Willis Smith Construction will handle the rebuilding of Venice Theatre. Lighting systems will cost more because the old equipment is no longer available but operation costs are expected to be lower. Kristofer Geddie recently replaced Murray Chase as producing executive director while Chase has delayed his retirement to assume the role of restoration manager. Donations to the theatre began to arrive the day after the storm. Yet there are fears that the last $3 million may be slow to arrive. "Venice Theatre is one of the chief economic drivers of Downtown Venice," Geddie said at an August meeting concerning the HUD funds. To donate to the theater, visit: venicetheatre.org/donate PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARIA GOODWIN Eric Watters, Venice Theatre's director of development, left, with Maria Santagada, producer/director of The Showtime Benefit (as well as tap choreographer of VT's Silver Foxes), accepts a check for $19,500 for the theater. At right is Kristofer Geddie, general manager and Director of Diversity at Venice Theatre. PHOTO BY PETER TAVINO Early repairs had already started on Venice Theatre in November.

• Cover