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
Additionally, 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
Click on the image to enlarge
Click on the image to enlarge
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: $370,000
Remaining amount to raise: $830,000
As of 12/4/24Project 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
$125,000+
Ruth Wunderlich Estate
$100,000+
Randy & Wendy Kramer
$50,000+
Jim & Milly Burroughs
$25,000+
Gary & Pat Ray | Chloe Softing Estate | Alberta Sorenson
$10,000+
Carol Asleson Estate | Bonnie & Tim Rietz | Mahlon & Karen Schneider
$5,000+
Stephen Neiswanger | Liesl Schindler | Allen P Schulz Estate | David Sylte
$1,000+
American Legion Post 91 | Fred & Carolyn Bogott | Margaret Erickson | Jeff & LeeAnn Ettinger | Laura Helle & Matt Stobaugh | Lance & Sharon Hoefflin | Al and Alice Holst | The Joseph Company Inc. | Steve & Dorothy Krob | Mark & Gretchen Ramlo | Maureen Steenblock
$500+
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. | Lowell Foster | Ollie & Shar Hagen | Isaac & Elizabeth Leyk | Monica Lonergan | Phil & Gail Minerich | Marvin & Rebecca Repinski | Marlene Schlichter | VFW Gambling | Bob & Colleen Weimer
$250+
Richard & Ann Flisrand | Chet & Rae Dawn Rao | Celeste Ruble | Janet Thomas
$100+
Austin Symphony Orchestra | James & Susan Anderson | Jeff & Renee Anderson | Keith & Sharon Barnes | Greg & Amy Baskin | Lora Lee Bauer | Nancy Beck | Peggy Benzkofer | Andrew Coopman | Tracy Eldel | Joe & Cindy Fuhrman | Robert & Joyce Goetz | Gareth & Alaina Hataye | Peggy & Glenn Keener | Gary Komaniecki | Lynee & Greg Larson | Bruce & Reilly Loeschen | Kay Miller | Danielle Oberbroeckling | Kelsey Ritchie | Patrick & Beth Schwab | Mike & Donna Skiba | Pete & Bonnie Tangren | Matt Thimjon & Megan Antinozzi | Timberline Roofing & Contracting | Unity #29, Order of Eastern Star | Holly Wallace | Mary Anne & Jerry Wolesky
Donors
Geoff & Diane Baker | Norma Brown | Megan Burroughs | Aletha Coyle | Lia & Jason Culbert | Cheryl Dunlap | Stephanie Fedorovich | First United Methodist Church | Sandy Folk | Carl & Kathryn Gerlach | Jerry Girton | Catherine Haslag | Dennis & Kathleen Huffman | Pete Judd | Margie Kline | Sonia Larson | Virgene & Randy Monthei | Jack & Jeri Morgan | Robert & Debra Morgan | Duane Olson | Mary Purcell | Sarah & Patrick Quinlan | Larry & Barb Scheid | Diane Sneve | Robyn Stoller | Renee Wangen
List updated as of 12/6/24Want 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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is this project happening?
We are planning to begin construction right away in 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. Depending on timing, we may try to sneak a few events in if it is possible!
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, Erin McClimon, Barb Mitchell, Mark Owens, Gretchen Ramlo, Rae Dawn Rao, Rick Young
Any other questions? Give us a call at 507-434-0934.