HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — City Council approved a resolution Tuesday night allocating $500,000 for renovations at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center in downtown Huntington.
Mayor Steve Williams said the Keith Albee board is hoping to raise nearly $20 million to finance improvements to the historic theater.
The board asked the city last year for $3 million. Williams said the city instead pledged $1.5 million over three years. The $500,000 request has to be brought before council each year, Williams said.
“This is available within the contributions line of the capital improvements budget,” Williams told council members before the vote.
The resolution was approved with council members Tyler Bowen and Todd Sweeney voting against it.
Bowen asked Williams if allocating money toward the Keith Albee would hurt other projects.
“Will that deprioritize anything that we’ve already got set for those capital outlay adjustments?” Bowen asked.
“We’re not moving anything from anything else,” Williams said. “We had additional dollars that we appropriate there in case anything else comes up during the year and it’s coming from that line.”
Williams said the city is committed to helping the Keith Albee Board raise another $1.5 million through grants and philanthropic organizations.
Williams said there’s no doubt the improvements are needed.
“There’s extensive that needs to be done in the restrooms, in the dressing rooms. The dressing rooms are absolutely horrid,” Williams said.
Williams also indicated he’ll be talking about possible further funding for the Keith Albee in his upcoming State of the City Address.