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Georgia Theatre Fire
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has now been a full year since
the Georgia Theatre fire, and the
smoke is just finally settling. The
rebuilding efforts for the Georgia
Theatre are really rolling. On June
3, after five months of negotiation, Wilmot
Greene, the owner of the Georgia Theatre,
received the acceptance letter for a loan from
Athens First Bank.
"I was extremely relieved when I got the
acceptance letter. It doesn't mean that the
battle is over; that's what we really want
people to know, but the loan was the single
biggest hurdle we faced," says Greene.
So far, the Georgia Theatre has raised
about $160,000 and, in addition to the loan
from the bank, needs to raise an additional
$200,000. The loan money should come
through in a couple of weeks, and then it's
on to the next phase: rebuilding. Greene says
the reconstruction will start immediately, and
he anticipates the building process will take
approximately 10 months.
"The crazy thing is, the reconstruction
won't even take as long as it has to get to
this point," he says. "But now, the progress
will actually be tangible. This entire past year,
we have been working hard every day, but no
one could see it. Once the rebuilding starts,
people will be able to see our momentum."
Theatre fans who have been anxiously
awaiting some firm confirmation that the club
will return can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"When people ask, 'What the hell have [we]
been doing over here?' The answer is'A LOT!'"
says Greene. "It's a big loan*" And a compli-
catedone at that. Wit&the current economy,
Kj&a&liKtiMt troie tobdwww money, which
"Because we have been raising more money,
[Athens First Bank] has faith that we can con
tinue to raise more."
Greene is very thankful for all of the fund
raising and donations that the Athens commu
nity has made, and he is looking for new ways
to raise funds for the Theatre. To that end, he
will be launching an eBay store on the anni
versary of the fire: June 19. The store will offer
memorabilia from the Georgia Theatre, such as
smoke-damaged, band-signed posters from the
original (fire-proof) projection room. Singed
marquee letters will be sold as well. Bands
such as the Avett Brothers and Zac Brown have
also donated signed posters to the auction.
Things are looking good for the Theatre's
return, and Greene is more than enthusiastic
about the new and improved venue.
"The plans for the Georgia Theatre are
really cool, and I am excited to get things
started," he says, pointing to the debut of a
roof-top restaurant as a particular highlight.
Greene's goal with the reconstruction is to
make key improvements to the Theatre while
maintaining its original ambiance.
Part of the reconstruction plans also
include a new brick sidewalk in front of the
building. As another facet of the Theatre's
fundraising efforts, the eBay store will also
offer the opportunity to buy a personal
ized brick, engraved with the name of the
donor. "We want people to feel like they are
involved," says Greene, and these will bricks
will serve as great way to commemorate the
community's contribution to its rebirth.
With continued support from the corojPMfr
nity and the confirmed loan, Wj
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JUNE 16,2010 FLAGP0LE.COM 17