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Exterior changes taking shape at Library Theatre

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Workers from G.L. Olson of Dewittville, N.Y., erect framing on the new Struthers Library Theatre marquee.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Mike Przepiora of G.L. Olson of Dewittville, N.Y., assembles framing for the Struthers Library Theatre's new marquee.

From the installation of an elevator and numerous other accessibility features, a new marquee out of new materials, and a new color scheme, to ice cream, coffee, and even a bar, changes are under way at Struthers Library Theatre.

On Thursday, workers from G.L. Olson of Dewittville, N.Y., were working on the new marquee and the space where the new elevator will be installed.

“The most important part of this whole project is accessibility,” theater Executive Director Marcy O’Brien said.

“A lot of what this project is is giving accessibility (to the theater) to people who have never had it before,” Olson job superintendent Taras Korol said.

The elevator is a central portion of those accessibility improvements.

The glass-wall elevator and attached vestibule will be built at the east side of the building.

The elevator will stop at the three primary levels of the theater — ground, mezzanine, and balcony — as well as providing restricted access to the rehearsal room. A lift system will provide access to the library room — which is between floors — for those who need it.

The foundation and floor for the elevator are ready and that construction could go vertical in January, according to Korol.

Working in the winter will require special measures. “When they start on the elevator, they’re going to have to build scaffolding and wrap the scaffolding with heavy gauge, see-through plastic,” O’Brien said. “The bricks will be heated, the mortar will be heated, the sand, everything.”

The accessibility effort includes several curb cuts.

Curbs have been eliminated at the intersection and in front of the theater entrance. The curb changes required that the walk signal and street lamp had to be moved.

A ramp leading to the cafe is under construction on the Liberty Street side of the building.

Four steel columns have been installed at the front of the building to support the new marquee.

There is a lot more to support. The old marquee was 18 feet of canvas, while the new one is 44 feet of steel and glass, O’Brien said, adding, “This is going to cover our patrons.”

The glass will be at the center of the marquee and will serve multiple purposes. Visitors will be able to see up the front of the building and light at the entrance will help illuminate the structure.

Right now, the columns are basic I-beams. “They will be enclosed,” O’Brien said. “It’s going to be decorative.”

The new columns will match some of the existing vertical structures at the theater.

One change that was not anticipated involves the engraved pavers around the south and east sides of the building.

At the beginning of the project, the pavers were pulled, stacked, and stored nearby, courtesy of Blair. Theater officials intended to have the bricks put back exactly where they had started.

That is not going to be possible. “We are trying very hard to keep families, in-laws, and business interests together,” O’Brien said.

With the addition of the elevator, vestibule, and ramps, and the changes to the curbs, the configuration of the sidewalks has changed.

Although the changes to the sidewalk are problematic for the pavers, O’Brien expects the broad space at the intersection right outside the new cafe to provide a gathering point, perhaps with tables when weather permits.

The cafe will occupy the southeastern corner of the building. “It’s going to be an ice cream and sweets shop, and also a cafe,” O’Brien said. “When our lights are on — before and after performances and during intermissions — the bar will be open. It’s a special performing arts license.”

Patrons may reach the cafe from the street or from inside the theater lobby.

The theater roof leaks. That has been buttoned up for the winter, and a long-term solution project will begin next year. The third phase of the project involves major changes in the balcony seating and the installation of lights and hand rails.

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