June 9, 2009
Contact: Sally Lunsford 785-296-5708 or sally.lunsford@kslottery.net

Lottery Revenue Helps Restore Historic Coffeyville Theater

The Midland Theater Foundation’s goal is to restore the historic Midland Theater in downtown Coffeyville to its original glory. The Foundation is a little closer to reaching that goal, now that it has been awarded nearly $15,000 in Incentives Without Walls (IWW) funding to use in the restoration of the theater’s original stained-glass windows.

“The IWW funding is most welcome,” said Kenneth Burchinal, Executive Director of the Midland Theater Foundation. “It’s going to allow us to stabilize those windows, which is vital. The façade is simply not the façade without the windows.”

The stained glass windows grace what used to be a ballroom located on the second floor at the front of the building. Having a ballroom incorporated into a movie theater may have been a “first” when the Midland Theater was built in 1928. The lavish theater also featured a pipe organ, plush carpeting, upholstered seats, crimson and gold draped fabrics, tapestries on the walls, crystal chandeliers, artistic lighting and an ornamental drinking fountain.

The historic Midland Theater is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for significance in the areas of Architecture and Recreation/Culture. It is the hope of the Midland Theater Foundation to restore and revitalize the theater so it can once again become a location where the community may come together for entertainment, as well as meetings, conventions and other business use.

“When complete, we think the Midland Theater restoration is going to create a real revival for our downtown and the Coffeyville community,” said Burchinal.

IWW funds provide direct financial support to downtown businesses in designated Kansas Main Street cities to stimulate private investment. Including Coffeyville, there are a total of 25 designated Kansas Main Street cities.

“We are pleased to award deserving communities IWW funding to undertake exciting projects,” said Mary M. Helmer, Kansas Main Street Assistant State Coordinator. “IWW funding, along with the private matching funds it leverages, allows us to assist the rural communities that are so important to the livelihood of our state.”

The $15,000 Commerce award to the Midland Theater Foundation will leverage private investment of more than $44,000 to help complete the restoration project. For more information on the Midland Theater Foundation, visit www.midlandtheaterfoundation.org.

The Kansas Lottery has a positive impact on the state’s economy by supporting activities of the Kansas Department of Commerce, including Incentives Without Walls (IWW) funding in Kansas Main Street communities. IWW funding comes from the Economic Development Initiatives Fund, which is derived from Kansas Lottery proceeds.