The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning has announced the completion of a twelve-year restoration effort at Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, a community icon that has been fully restored and is once again ready to greet the public for movies and with rentable space for groups.  The restoration project began in 2009 with funding primarily supplied by NYS but also by Erie County through $590,000 of Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funding.

Improvements completed with CDBG funds through Erie County included roof and wall restoration, re-pointing mortar on brick, entrance restoration HVAC mechanical upgrades, installation of ADA-compliant bathrooms, installation of ductwork for the main theater HVAC system, and renovations to the historic lobby including painting, plaster work, and mechanical upgrades. Additional work included the repair and upgrade of the theater’s existing marquee to restore it to its historical accuracy, along with related electrical work to the building façade and complete rehabilitation of theatre seating to regain historic accuracy as well as ADA compliance for seating.

“This project was lengthy but has restored this wonderful building to glory and has made it better than ever, with new ADA-compliant features and a better overall experience awaiting all who visit. CDBG funding has spurred revitalizations in community centers across Erie County and this is another great example of a project that does just that,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “These investments help to reinvigorate neighborhoods and business districts, adding vitality that brings residents and customers to the area. Together we are building a better Erie County for the future.”   

Thirty-four municipalities participate in the Erie County Consortium that receives CDBG funding, all generally located outside of the City of Buffalo and the first-ring suburbs. The City of Buffalo, along with the Towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and Tonawanda are NOT Consortium members and receive their own grant funding directly from the federal government to fund projects in their respective municipalities. Projects that receive funding through the Consortium are recommended for funding by a sixteen-member Selection Committee including thirteen Supervisors and Mayors from Consortium communities and three members of the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning.

    For more information:

    On the Department of Environment and Planning, visit https://www2.erie.gov/environment/    

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