Opera House may have first tenants

NORWAY — Two of the five available spaces may soon be leased in the Norway Opera House.

A $1.1 million project to rehabilitate the first-floor storefronts of the Opera House is moving along, said Norway Opera House Corporation member Dennis Gray, and two prospective tenants have expressed interest about moving in. 

According to Gray, one tenant, who has property in Norway, is looking at opening a mineral and gem store in one of the five first-floor commercial spaces, after closing his store in Portland recently. The other tenant is looking to open a gift shop, he said.

"As a matter of fact," said Gray, "the Opera House Corporation is meeting Wednesday [December 12], and talking about what the leases might look like." 

He said that the leases, if approved by the NOHC Wednesday, would allow the tenants to move in February 1, 2013, once renovations are completed. 

Tony Morra, of Bisco Properties in Norway, has been working as the liaison between the tenants and the NOHC for leasing out the spaces. 

Morra said a handful of people have walked through the storefronts and have expressed interest in the spaces, though he said it's too early too comment on what those businesses are. 

"I am getting a variety of calls," he said, noting that it will be exciting to see the Opera House "come back to life."

The first-floor storefronts of the Opera House have been vacant since the building suffered a partial roof collapse in September 2007, causing major structural damage. The upper floors have been vacant for decades.

General contractor H.E. Callahan of Auburn began renovations to the historic three-story building in September. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year, said Gray.

According to Gray, the Norway Opera House Corp. is still trying to raise nearly $300,000 to help meet the initial $1.1 million estimate for work. 

Gray lauded Callahan Construction for its hard work to renovate the storefronts, which includes making each one energy-efficient with updated bathrooms, basement storage and other amenities. Work also includes reframing the building's back wall. 

"Callahan Construction has been wonderful, and has done a really good job and has been nice to work with," said Gray. "We are very pleased." 

The majority of the funds are coming through a $400,000 community development grant and a matching loan from Norway Savings Bank, to be paid back, in part, by using historic tax credits available on the building. 

"We still have to raise some significant funds to get this all completed and ready to go," said Gray. 

Donations to NOHC can be made at www.saveouroperahouse.org or by calling Bruce Cook at 890-7920.