Leaders of Venice Theatre, the nation’s second-largest community theater, had high hopes of winning support from the Sarasota County Commission for a $6 million federal grant that would help it recover from the destruction of its mainstage theater during Hurricane Ian.
After all, videos and still pictures of the gaping hole created by the storm, which took down a fly tower and the back wall, were prominently featured in local and national news reports on the storm’s destruction.
But the theater, launching its 75th season this month, was one of many projects left unfunded when commissioners voted in May on how to spend part of the $201.5 million Resilient SRQ Infrastructure Program, created with money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help communities recover from Ian and prepare for future storms. There were more than 40 applications seeking far more than the $45 million that was set aside for infrastructure projects.
The theater is now appealing to supporters to help raise the $16 million it needs to complete the reconstruction project before it runs out of money.
Shifting plans to meet federal guidelines
The theater initially planned to use the federal money for the Jervey Theatre construction until it learned it would need to stop work on the project and send contracts out for new bids following federal guidelines. With guidance from county staff members, it instead shifted its plan to use the money on turning the adjacent Raymond Center building into its education wing. The building was transformed into a temporary performance venue just three months after the hurricane to keep shows going.
“We were advised to make that change to the application because we knew we couldn’t stop our work,” Executive Director Kristofer Geddie said. “The Raymond Center was still a result of Hurricane Ian and we had not yet started that project. We were set to close on the construction loan for the Raymond Center on the day of the hurricane.”
Venice Theatre was one of many applicants that was not mentioned by commissioners during its infrastructure discussion in May, but in an interview, Commissioner Neil Rainford, whose district includes Venice and parts of Nokomis and North Port, said that application change created problems for the commissioners.
“The money requested for the theater was not for the areas damaged,” Rainford said. “It was for renovations of one of their other buildings. When we made these difficult decisions, there were more requests than what was available, and we were trying to get money to facilities that were actually damaged.”
Commissioners approved money for 12 projects, including funds to rebuild water control structures and bridges in North Port, a bridge on Manasota Key, storm water improvements in Englewood and improvements at the Carlton Water Treatment Plant. The only non-profit organizations to receive support from commissioners were $4 million for the North Port Boys and Girls Club and $3 million for a Salvation Army social services facility.
“They unanimously decided that most projects for most non-profits were really not valid or not worthy,” said Geddie. “I applaud that they gave money to the Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army because they were destroyed and needed that money. But basically the entire city of Venice was overlooked. It just seemed odd since Venice Theatre and our destruction was part of the poster image for Sarasota County damage.”
A public appeal for major donations
After raising about $9 million, including $5 million in insurance payouts, the organization needs another $16 million for the $25 million project to restore the theater, which was named for major donor William Jervey.
But without an infusion of major funds, which could help the theater secure a construction loan, the company could run out of money long before the work is completed.
“We are going to do what we have done for the last 75 years: We adapt and we pivot,” said Camille Cline, the director of advancement. “We had been on a gorgeous upward trajectory for years before COVID hit and then the hurricane hit us. But if the last 75 years is any indication, we will carry on.”
The commission’s rejection of the grant came on top of the loss of $70,500 in state funding after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed all money for arts programs when he approved the 2024-25 budget.
Geddie said Venice Theatre has raised about 40% of its $25 million goal, and has spent nearly $6 million on repairs to the Jervey Theatre. Among major donations was a $1 million gift from Donna and Jim Boldt, announced in April.
The theater said it needs more money to raise steel beams, install the roof and finish the interior of the main theater. There is still a big hole in the back of the theater.
Venice Theatre’s fundraising plea comes as it opens its 75th season with the musical revue “My Way,” featuring hit songs associated with Frank Sinatra. It is being presented in the Raymond Center, a former law office that once briefly served as Venice public library. It was turned into a temporary theater because “e knew we couldn’t use the Jervey until the new theater was rebuilt and we didn’t want to shut down,” Geddie said.
Theater looks for new funding options
Geddie said the theater is still working on securing other funding after its commercial lender determined it could not fund the next portion of the construction loan. “We were looking at a loan of between $5 million and $9 million based on what we needed at that moment. I’m sure we will be able to do some sort of construction loan.”
Work continues on the back side of the theater, and Venice Theatre has about $3 million available to spend. “We have been paying our construction bills as they come in. But right now we don’t have enough to finish the Jervey, that’s why we’re sharing this.”
Magnum Construction has set a guaranteed maximum price for construction at $18 million, “but we need about $16 million to finish everything as it is. There are lots of cost savings we can and are going to do,” he said.
Staying optimistic during major fundraising campaign
Cline said she and her predecessor, Eric Watters, have cultivated relationships with individual donors and community foundations “and we received some lovely donations. But I think our donors, our highly engaged donors, were participating to the best of their ability with not knowing until recently the full extent of the need.”
Cline said she is optimistic that as more people realize what the theater needs, that more will come forward.
“This is not a silent phase,” she said, noting there is a $15 million naming opportunity for the entire main building that contains the Jervey Theatre and the smaller Pinkerton Theatre, which suffered only minor damage during the storm.
“We have committed community members who understand how Venice Theatre is a jewel in our county and of our area and adds such significant value not only from an economic impact and jobs perspective, but also as the gateway to the arts for South Sarasota County, and for arts education,” she said. “The list is so long of what we provide.”