Paramount Theatre Renovation & Expansion Project 2025

Austin Area Arts is committed to ensuring that all individuals are provided with full and equal access to the programs provided by Austin Area Arts, including those of the Historic Paramount Theatre. Through an independent ADA assessment of the building in 2023, we have identified the highest priority items to address in our renovation and expansion project. This project will improve both accessibility and the experience of patrons and performers who come to our theatre.

Patron Experience

Our project will improve the patron experience by increasing the lobby size, replacing the current theatre seats with larger seats, upgrading our lighting equipment inside the theatre, and making sound system upgrades/acoustical room treatments to improve sound quality at live shows.

Performer Experience

The performer quality of experience will be improved by providing adequate green room/dressing room space that is accessible and connected to backstage. To regain wing space for performers, the grand piano storage will be relocated. The stage floor will be rebuilt and the loading dock will be relocated and designed for safe and efficient load in. Touring shows will have access to lighting and sound systems that meet modern standards in the industry.

Accessibility

The Historic Paramount Theatre was built in 1929 as a first-run movie house. Through decades of cosmetic changes, the floor plan and accessibility have not changed. Many spaces in the building do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards including restrooms, accessible theatre seating, stage access, and dressing rooms. This project will add main floor bathrooms, accessible seating areas on the first floor of the theatre, transfer armrests on some aisle seats, an accessible route to the stage, and accessible dressing rooms and performer bathrooms.

Proposed floor plan and Project Timeline

Proposed floor plan of the renovation and expansion project — Click on the image to enlarge

Project timeline for Paramount Theatre renovation and expansion, detailing key dates in 2025. — Click on the image to enlarge

What will be the impact of this project?

This project will greatly improve the patron experience at the Paramount Theatre by providing wider theatre seats, ADA accessible seating areas, main floor restrooms, more lobby space, and a better theatre environment through sound and lighting upgrades.

We will also be making major improvements to the performer experience through creating accessible dressing rooms and restrooms, a safe and efficient loading dock, accessible stage access, rebuilding the stage floor, and having access to sound and lighting systems that meet the industry touring standards.

Total project cost = $4,317,829

We just launched a capital campaign drive to help us fund this project! We have received 85% of our funding for this project through a generous grant from the Hormel Foundation. We plan to cover our 15% portion of the construction project along with a few other goals.

Austin Area Arts’ portion of construction costs: ~$648,000
A maintenance and repair fund: $327,000
Pay off existing mortgage of Boardwalk Properties: $225,000

Paramount Capital Campaign Goal = $1.2 million

Funds raised to date: $764,861

Remaining amount to raise: $435,139

As of 3/14/25

Project Donors & Supporters

The Hormel Foundation approved a grant of $3.67 million towards The Paramount Theatre renovation and expansion project. Thank you so much for your support!

$175,000+
Belita Schindler

$100,000+
Anonymous
LeeAnn & Jeff Ettinger
Randy & Wendy Kramer
Ruth Wunderlich Estate

$50,000+
Jim & Milly Burroughs | Rick & Carol Young

$25,000+
Kurt and Brenda Potach | Gary & Pat Ray | Bonnie & Tim Rietz | Chloe Softing Estate | Alberta Sorenson | Paul & Joanne Worlein

$10,000+
Carol Asleson Estate | Patrick & Patty Bradley | Mahlon & Karen Schneider

$5,000+
Stephen Neiswanger | Chet & Rae Dawn Rao | Liesl Schindler | Allen P Schulz Estate | David Sylte | Mary Anne & Jerry Wolesky

$2,500+
Terry & Jan Fox | Laura Helle & Matt Stobaugh | Al & Alice Holst | Penny Kinney | Maureen Steenblock

$1,000+
American Legion Post 91 | Dr. Jeff & Teresa Anderson | Donald & Darlene Austin | Randy & Ann Bailey | Glenn and Sally Baker | John and Julie Beckmann | Fred & Carolyn Bogott | Pat Christopherson | Gail Dennison | Carolyn & Keith Eilertson | Margaret Erickson | David Feierer | Lowell Foster | Lance & Sharon Hoefflin | Roger & Karen Jacobs | The Joseph Company Inc. | Steve & Dorothy Krob | Austin Noon Lions | Miriam Luehmann | Mark & Gretchen Ramlo | bonnie & Peter Tangren | Wealth Management Solutions - Ameriprise Financial Services

List updated as of 3/14/25

Want to contribute?

You can donate online using the button below, visit the Austin ArtWorks Center during business hours to donate in person, or mail a donation to Austin Area Arts, 300 N Main St, Austin, MN 55912. One-time or multi-year pledges gratefully accepted.

To donate shares of stock, donor-advised fund, qualified charitable IRA distributions, or other assets, contact Kelsey Ritchie 507-434-0934 or email kelsey@austinareaarts.org

Donate Now

Project Progress Photos!

Jan 27, 2025 - Annex

Feb 1, 2025 - The start of the opening from the Annex side

Feb 1, 2025 - Annex front staircase removed

Feb 11, 2025 - Old theatre seats being removed

Feb 12, 2025 - Theatre main floor with seats removed

Feb 12, 2025 - Theatre balcony with seats removed

Feb 14, 2025 - View from the stage on the old thrust

Feb 17, 2025 - Removal of the stage thrust begins

Feb 19, 2025 - View of the stage with thrust removed

Feb 19, 2025 - Concrete removal begins for new wheelchair seating areas and sound booth

Feb 19, 2025 - View of the original orchestra pit

Feb 19, 2025 - View coming up the stairs into the original orchestra pit

Feb 25, 2025 - A view of the Annex opening with the Paramount brick exposed

Feb 25, 2025 - Annex progress

Feb 25, 2025 - Progress in the theatre, laying out new walkways

Feb 26, 2025 - Framing new walkways to accessible seating

Mar 3, 2025 - Rebar ready in the walkways

Mar 3, 2025 - Discovered charred ceiling joists and evidence that the Annex structure could be connected to the historic Grand Hotel

Mar 3, 2025 - Annex west wall work complete and ready for framing

Mar 3, 2025 - View of the new lobby space in Annex

Mar 3, 2025 - New concrete poured for wheelchair seating

Mar 4, 2025 - New walkways poured

Mar 7, 2025 - Bathroom framing begins

Mar 10, 2025 - Framing the new sound booth

Mar 10, 2025 - A look at the new restroom corridor

Mar 10, 2025 - Annex view

Mar 12, 2025 - Soffit above concessions framed

Mar 13, 2025 - Concrete poured for one of the new accessible seating areas

Mar 21, 2025 - Electrical work in the sound booth, new thrust framing has begun

Frequently Asked Questions

When is this project happening?

We began construction January 2025, starting inside the existing spaces (theatre & annex).

When will the project be finished?

Our goal is to finish construction in time to reopen the theatre during the Austin ArtWorks Festival (Aug 23 & 24, 2025).

Will there be any shows or movies during this time?

We plan to have the theatre go dark Jan-Aug 2025. However, we have a mini-performance series going on at other community venues this spring. Check out more details here!

How can i stay updated on the progress of the project?

We will post updates on the Paramount’s Facebook page and other Austin Area Arts social media. Feel free to follow us! We will also send out periodic updates on the project in our weekly email newsletter. To sign up for our e-newsletter, scroll to the footer of any page on our website to sign up through the form.

Paramount Theatre Renovation & Expansion Building Committee Members

Co-chairs: Belita Schindler & Randy Kramer

Austin Area Arts Staff: Thomas Robbins, Kelsey Ritchie, Amy Wightkin

Community Members: John Beckmann, Aaron DeVries, Zach Fadness, Pete Jacobsen, Penny Kinney, Isaac Leyk, Barb Mitchell, Gretchen Ramlo, Rae Dawn Rao, Rick Young

Any other questions? Give us a call at 507-434-0934.

In the news:

KTTC: 1-22-25

KIMT News 3: 1-22-25

ABC 6 News: 1-22-25

Austin Daily Herald: 1-22-25

Star Tribune: 1-21-25

Austin Daily Herald: 12-3-24

KIMT News 3: 12-3-24

KTTC: 12-3-24

ABC 6 News: 12-3-24