Opera House work to begin this week

Photo:

PARTNERS — Members of the for-profit Norway Opera House Corporation pose with representatives from Norway Savings Bank after signing a partnership agreement on August 30. Partnering with the bank allows NOHC –  which was transferred ownership of the Opera House from the non-profit Norway Maine Opera House group – to get the federal tax credits and move the Opera House rehabilitation project forward. From left, Charleen Chase, Norway Maine Opera House board member; David Holt, Norway Town Manager; Zackary Greenfield, attorney with Monaghan Leahy; Dennis Gray and Bruce Cook, Norway Maine Opera House board members; Brian Shibles, Norway Savings Bank; Jake Keeler, architect with Lachman Architects and Planners; Peter Godsoe, Norway Savings Bank; Steve Bosinger, Austin Associates; Brenda Melhus, Norway Maine Opera House board member.

NORWAY — Work on the Norway Opera House is finally set to begin this week, according to Norway Opera House Corporation member Bruce Cook.

During a Tuesday meeting, the group signed a letter of intent with H.E. Callahan Construction, the Auburn company that was awarded the contract in late August, Cook reported on Tuesday afternoon.

The work will include renovation of five first-floor storefronts.

Signing a contract was delayed while the group and town office looked into modifying the project to fit its budget – the $889,000 bid came in higher than expected. 

On Tuesday, the group decided to stick with its original project, Cook reported.

"Basically, we did take a few minor things out, but we just decided to bite the bullet and raise the extra money," he said.

Cook said the contract will not be substantially different than the original bid.

"We want the job done, but we want it done right," Cook said.

"Our goal is to make this the centerpiece of Main street, as it used to be."

The actual cost of the project had caught NOHC off-guard, Cook recounted, particularly after they were told it would be much lower.

Still, he insisted the group was ready to move forward and do what it needed to do to renovate the building.

"We're just going to do our damndest to suck it up and raise money," Cook asserted. " We certainly hope local people will join us."

According to Cook, renovation work on the back wall of the building will be put off until next year, in an effort to keep the cost of the project down.

He gave assurances that the building was completely stable and said repairs would be done to the roof and gutters to prevent further water damage.

Cook also applauded the efforts of Norway Savings Bank's Brian Shibles and Norway Town Manager David Holt. He said the two men had done more than anyone to make the Opera House project a reality.