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Progress Updates Archive

UPDATE: Received property tax exemption
December 2010

UPDATE: Signed contract with the National Parks Service for the Save Americas Treasures Grant. 
Submitted construction documentation for Asbestos Abatement, North Wall Repair, and Basement De-watering to National Parks Service for review.
November 2010

UPDATE: Received bids for the basement dewatering project.  Bids are well over our estimated budget.  We will separate the project into 3 phases (asbestos removal, north wall repair, and basement dewatering) and rebid.
October 2010

UPDATE: Project will be added to the Save America’s Treasures scope of work and the Heritage Trust Fund money used to match funds from the National Parks Service. Received $5000 Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation Grant

PROGRESS:  Matched and received third and final Pritchett Family Trust Fund grant of $30,000.
May 2010

SPONSOR: American Family Insurance $3000 grant underwrites 2010 Friday Flix season
April 2010

UPDATE: Received word that we have been awarded a $90,000 Heritage Trust Fund Grant.
March 2010 

UPDATE: Submitted Property Tax Abatement Application with favorable recommendation from County Appraiser.
February 2010

UPDATE: New Roof and tuck-pointing project complete – 2008 Heritage Trust Fund grant reimbursement received.
December 2009

MILESTONE: Received word that we will be awarded a $500,000 Save America’s Treasures Grant, thanks to efforts on our behalf  by Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts.
November 2009

UPDATE: Submitted Kansas State Heritage Trust Fund grant application. 
November 2009

UPDATE: Received $5000 Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation Grant
October 2009

UPDATE: Matched and received second installment of Pritchard Family Trust Fund Grant ($30,000). 
March 2009 

UPDATE: Contracts signed with MidAmerica Roofing for new roof and tuckpointing.
November 2008 

UPDATE: Plans being made to hire part time fundraising and executive director.
October 2008 

UPDATE: Received $7,500 Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation Grant
October 2008 

UPDATE: Heritage Trust Fund recipients are announced – The Colonial Fox Theatre will received $90,000 for new roof and tuckpointing
May 2008

UPDATE: Contract with Springer Consulting for Market Programming & Use Feasibility Study and with William Morris Associates for Building Assessment and Preservation Plan
April 2008

MILESTONE:Receive 501 (c)3 designation
October 2007 

MILESTONE:Little Balkans Days Tours - Colonial Fox Theatre opened to public for first time in over 25 years
September 2007

UPDATE: Submitted application for 501 (c) 3 designation.  Sent out architect request for proposal.
August 2007 

400 for $40K Campaign kick-off.
Emergency roof repair complete. 
Volunteer Cleaning Days begin
May 2007

MILESTONE: Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation pays $10,500 down payment toward the $40,000 purchase price of the property, $12,500 on second mortgage, and $17,269 in back taxes.
April 2007 

MILESTONE: Receive $10,000 each from Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation, Coleman Family Foundation, Elliott Family Foundation, Miller Family Foundation, and $5,000 from Ken Brock – total of $45,000 to save the theatre from the tax sale.
April 2007 

MILESTONE: Colonial Fox Foundation begins to take shape.  Organization is registered with the State of Kansas as a not for profit corporation.  Community meeting begin
January 2007

UPDATE:  Group of local contractors organize a community in a grass roots effort to save the Colonial Fox Theatre from the wrecking ball.
December 2006

UPDATE:  The theatre is accepted to the Register of Historic Kansas Places.
December 2000

1985 - The Fox Theatre closes and remains vacant for over 20 years.

1959 - Current art-deco Fox marquee is attached and the Colonial becomes the Fox Theatre.

Circa 1950 - The metal and brick false fronts are added to the Colonial

1944 - The Pittsburg Amusement Company leases the Midland and Colonial to the Fox Kansas Theatre Company.

1926 - The Colonial undergoes an extensive exterior remodeling and complete interior redecorating.

1920 - The Colonial is conceived, owned, and operated by the Pittsburg Amusement Company, which also operates the Mystic and Klock theatres in Pittsburg. Local architects design the building in accordance to styles established in large cities. According to the Pittsburg Daily Headlight, the Colonial Theatre is “constructed along the same lines as the Isis in Kansas City.”