Schine's Comeback Begins in Earnest

The issue: After several years of false starts and frustrations, the revamped Cayuga County Arts Council uses grant money to buy the abandoned theater and begin to bring it back to life.

The Cayuga County Arts Council (CCAC) is extremely pleased to announce the purchase of the Auburn Schine Theater, made possible through the $88,000 grant awarded to the Arts Council in January 1996 by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.

There are many people to thank for the undertaking of this very important project.

First, thanks must go to the previous Arts Council Board for applying for the grant. Thanks also to the past owners, the Pettigrass family, for their cooperation in this purchase.

We thank the elected officials of city government who have given strong support, especially City Councilor Melina Carnicelli. State Senator Michael Nozzolio, Assemblyman Daniel Fessenden and U.S. Congressman James T. Walsh are also strong supporters of the Schine project.

Senator Nozzolio has given not only his strong support, but also much help in shepherding us through the lengthy process of obtaining the contract for the grant. A huge "thank you" must go to the city Office of Planning and Economic Development whose expertise and technical support was and continues to be invaluable in this complicated effort.

This multi-million dollar project will result in a state of the art multitude cultural center, providing a wonderful new venue in the heart of the community for all of the talented artists and artistic organizations we are blessed with in this county to display and perform their art. It will also provide the citizens of the Finger Lakes Region greater opportunities to experience these talents. A number of feasibility studies demonstrate that this facility will also give a real boost to the local economy, and increase our ability to attract new businesses and more tourists to the area by adding to the quality of life of the community.

The Cayuga County Arts Council has already applied for $ 1.5 million in new state grant programs, and will be meeting with federal officials to seek some federal funding for the project.

Now that CCAC finally owns the Schine Theater, the organization will be launching an aggressive drive to raise funds from corporate and business sources, foundations and individuals.

We believe that the community must be willing to back this project not just with words, but with a financial commitment that will give them a true sense of ownership in the project.

All donations to the project are tax-deductible, and can be sent to the Arts Council, Suite 310, 2 South Street, Auburn, New York 13021.
phone: 315-252-2787

Schine Restoration