Efforts to save and restore the historical Fischer Theatre in Danville’s downtown area are taking another step forward. On Monday a crew began work on removing the marquee so that it can be completely restored.
Jim Wood, a board member of the Vermilion Heritage Foundation, says the work is being done in pieces.
‘’They’ll come back and they’ll get the rest of this. When it gets fabricated they’ll bring it back,’’ says Wood. ‘’Everything will be brand new – all the wiring. But all the lights will be historically correct – just the way they are right now.’’
Meanwhile Wood says the group that is trying to save the Fischer has been in contact with several potential large donors.
‘’There’s several things we’re working on, I just don’t know how quick they’re going to come to fruition,’’ said Wood during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News. ‘’We’ve talked to a lot of foundations. And that’s what I was talking about. The Gates Foundation told me they would like to see two things – progress actually happening, which this marquee will be a nice outward display of that. And they would like to see some evidence of broad community support,’’ said Wood.
Wood adds the Vermilion Heritage Foundation realizes that saving the Fischer could have a huge impact on Downtown Danville. ‘’The feasibility analysis people said that out of this structure – because of the historical nature of it – and because of the type of shows we’ll have – we’ll have full Broadway musicals and that type of thing…it will draw people from an area of about a 90 minute drive time.’’
The marquee is expected to be back in Danville early this fall, once its renovation is complete.
