For Immediate Release

August 10, 2005

FUNDS FOR PANTAGES RESTORATION WORK
APPROVED IN INTERIOR SPENDING BILL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The federal government will contribute $150,000 toward the restoration work planned in the lobby, mezzanine and balcony corridors of Tacoma’s historic Pantages Theater, Rep. Norm Dicks said.

            The grant for the historic structure was included in the Interior appropriations bill for the next fiscal year, which was approved by Congress late last month and has now been signed into law by President Bush, Rep. Dicks said.

The congressman, who serves as the top-ranking Democratic member of the Interior appropriations subcommittee in the House, said that the grant will come from the “Save America’s Treasures” account in the bill, intended to support projects that have cultural or historical significance in communities throughout the nation.

“The Pantages has become a showcase restoration project that has regional as well as nationwide significance,” Rep. Dicks said.  “This grant was approved because it will enhance the historic character of the building by helping the non-profit Broadway Center for the Performing Arts complete the historically-accurate restoration of the 1918 vintage Pantages Theater,” he added.

           The appropriations bill also included a similar grant for the restoration of Hoquiam’s Olympic Stadium, a WPA-era facility that is one of the nation’s few remaining all-wooden athletic complexes.

Home >> Newsroom >> Press Releases