Fullerton, CA (December 7, 2020) – Though it was saved by the wrecking ball in 2004, it’s been a lengthy rehabilitation process for Fullerton’s historic Fox Theatre but all towards a worthwhile end. That end will shine a little brighter in 2021 as the Fox is about to undergo a $3.125 million Phase 2 construction project after the first of the year.
Utilizing a State of California grant of $2.5 million acquired with the generous help of Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva and federal historic tax credits of approximately $625 thousand, the Fox will get crucial infrastructure and more restoration work completed. In order to get a “certificate of occupancy” from the city to have regular events at the Fox without special permits (as has been the case over many years), this next phase will address the items the city requires. Included in this will be a completely new HVAC system, new main power supply, improved ADA access and perhaps the most exciting item for those who have been to recent Fox events…completed bathrooms! Ahhh…the simple things in life.
These are all big ticket, necessary items, but also included will be some fun, visual things for the community, like a restored lobby, staircase and more of the Fox’s historic mural renovation.
“This is an exciting and important step for the Fox to be enjoyed by more people, more often beginning in 2021” said Leland Wilson, Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation (FHTF) Board President.
The FHTF board understands the importance of the infrastructure aspects of the project but is also aware of including some “visual” aspects for the community to see progress with continued restoration work that is at the heart of the Fox project.
Overseeing the design are architects from DLR Group who were part of Westlake Reed Leskosky (WRL) when WRL did the original restoration plans in 2006. DLR professionals are not only designing and managing key design scopes of the project, they are also working closely with the individual sub-contractors who will be doing their own design-build projects to keep costs down.
“Rehabilitations within a historical context, such as the Fox Fullerton Theater, can be complicated and challenging” said Jordan Levin, Culture and Performing Arts Leader for DLR Group. “But will also be rewarding when completed. This will be a theater that the local community and the surrounding region will be able to enjoy for generations”, Levin added.
The project is currently in the design phase with construction to start at the spring and finishing in the fall of 2021.