Hardlines Design Company (HDC) was contracted to complete a historic study, building assessment, and redevelopment feasibility plan for the Dunbar Theatre, a 1940s movie theatre named after the prominent African-American poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar. The theatre is a key element of the historic McAdams African-American neighborhood in Wichita. HDC reviewed and reported on the historical context that gives this building its significance, which included the fact that this theatre was the only venue in mid-twentieth century Wichita where African-Americanscould go to watch movies. HDC provided an interior and exterior condition assessment of the building with input from structural, civil, mechanical and plumbing engineers.

In collaboration with AMS Planning & Research, an Arts Research and Analysis Firm, local performing arts entities were identified and interviewed for their interest in seeing a restored and reprogrammed multi-purpose performing arts center developed in the Dunbar Theatre. AMS reviewed this information for economic viability within the Wichita context, with information from a nationwide Arts Database.

The completed project consisted of the historic study, a building assessment report with architectural and engineering evaluations, a market study and analysis that indicated project viability, a conceptual design study with an addition for the proposed new uses, a description of the anticipated new engineering systems, and a detailed cost estimate. The redevelopment project is currently underway with a private developer. You can follow the progress of the Dunbar Theatre redevelopment here.

The Lincoln Theatre project included documenting, rehabilitating, and adding to a historic, National Register-listed, 1920s theatre that became the catalyst for the revitalization of a historic downtown neighborhood in Columbus. The building was originally a fraternity lodge and a key performance space for African-American jazz artists up through the 1960s, but was left vacant and allowed to decay for almost four decades.

The initial facility assessment project, with as-built drawings, proposed new uses while maintaining the Theatre’s historic integrity. Starting in 2007, the renovation project included masonry repairs, reconstruction of historic interior features, new seating arrangements, an expanded stage and orchestra pit, expanded backstage, and new patron amenities. The building additions included new stairs, a theatre balcony, an accessible elevator, dressing rooms, a green room, and a new two-story commemorative exhibition hall/jazz lobby with a concessions area. The renovation included sustainable design practices according to Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman’s “Green Initiative.”

The project received a 2009 Ohio Historic Preservation Office Merit Award and the 2010 Heritage Ohio award for Best Public Rehabilitation.

The renovation of the prominent National Register listed Woodward Opera House and the design and construction of its new addition has been separated out into multiple-phased projects to accommodate funding restrictions. The Woodward Opera House Project challenges include integrating the restoration of a 1850s theatre building with the adaptive reuse of the adjacent Cooper building and the construction of new additions to the rear.

A new rear addition will accommodate backstage theatre support spaces such as dressing rooms, restrooms, and loading. Separate entries are being provided for retail, office, theatre audience, and theatre support personnel. Construction staging issues include working around an occupied facility and coordinating construction access/staging and storage on an urban site without inconveniencing adjacent shop owners and their customers. Historic tax credit funding was finalized in 2015 and construction was the first live performance took place in January 2019.

• Northeast Corner
• Main House after Renovation
• Restored Roof Brackets
• New Main Stair

• Owner:
  Woodward Development Corporation

  Completion:
  2002-2003 Retail Renovation
  2006-2007 Exterior Renovation
  2011-2012 Second Floor Office Renovation
  2014-2019 Theatre Renovation

• Cost/Size:
  $18 million / 73,412 SF

  Contact:
  Mr. Pat Crow (740) 392-6102