Florida Theatre plans for major renovations with Jacksonville mayor's newly proposed budget

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Major renovations could be coming to one of Jacksonville’s most popular downtown theaters.

Action News Jax dug into Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s newly proposed budget and found $5 million will go to the Florida Theater Performing Arts Center, if it is approved.

TRENDING: 

• Clay County deputies: Suspected shooter in Oakleaf neighborhood taken into custody
• Wife of Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels files for a divorce
• 'Cease and desist' issued to Jacksonville adult entertainment club
• St. Augustine man arrested after pulling gun on woman who refused to try his vape pen at McDonald's
• Woman killed at fire station while trying to get away from husband, sheriff says

The Florida Theater first opened in 1927.

It has been renovated twice since then, in 1983 and again in 1994.

Numa Saisselin, president of the Florida Theatre, said in the past seven years they have focused on stabilizing the business and growing financially.

Now, they are hoping for a partnership with the City of Jacksonville to continue their $10 million plan for renovations.

He said it is a capital improvement plan to fund the physical assets of the building.

The mayor’s newly proposed budget it lists $1,000,000 for the Florida Theater Performing Arts Center.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

“We’re looking at replacing the theatre seats, new lighting equipment, new sound equipment, new projection equipment, upgrades to the bathroom, upgrades to the lobby space, and the heating ventilating, air conditioning system,” Saisselin said.

Saisselin said the theatre will raise the remaining $5,000,000 through donations and restoration ticket fees.

Action News Jax is working to find out if ticket fees will increase after renovations.

More than 1900 auditorium seats will be replaced with new chairs.

The theatre will need to reduce seating by 50 chairs because of the new size of chairs.

They said they will also add on to their existing wheelchair accommodations.

“It improves the customer and artist experience of the building,” Saisselin said. "It improves our ability to make more money and be self-sufficient financially. Or it improves our ability to save money by not having to rent equipment every week.”

If the proposed budget is approved, Saisselin said they have a five-year plan which could start in summer 2020.

They plan to spend about $2 million in renovations each year.

Cox Media Group