Payout could ensure Act II for Lewiston Civic Theatre

Sept. 30--A potential insurance payout of more than $200,000 could save the condemned Lewiston Civic Theatre, according to the contractor slated to repair the building's damaged roof.

Mark Heuett of Clarkston said he has been working closely with Farmers Alliance Mutual Insurance and should find out next week if the claim is approved.

"It sounds like the insurance company is going to step up and pay for the truss repair, and at least part of the roof repair," Heuett said. "I'm hoping they'll do that whole side facing to the west, which is the worst."

The chronically leaking roof allowed water into the wooden superstructure that supports the roof, and the west end of a major bridge truss partially collapsed because of rot early last month. That led the city of Lewiston to condemn the 109-year-old former Methodist church and throw its future into doubt.

Civic Theatre productions have been moved to the Clarkston High School auditorium. Its production of "Oliver!" -- delayed because of the condemnation -- will open there this weekend.

Theater board of directors President Shelly Renzelman cautioned that the insurance claim hasn't received final approval, but confirmed the potential payout should be enough to fix the truss and the most problematic part of the roof.

Prior to learning of the possible insurance payment, Heuett and engineer Eric Hasenoehrl estimated the truss could be repaired for $150,000. A second bid from Kenaston Corp. priced the repair at $320,000.

And while it also remains uncertain whether the condemnation will be lifted once the roof is stabilized, Renzelman said it will buy the theater time to decide how to move forward with other potential repairs that will make the building usable again.

Lewiston Community Development Director Laura Von Tersch said the city will allow a design professional and a work crew into the building to perform the repairs once it approves Heuett's plans. He expects to submit them to the city next week and secure the building permit that will allow the project to begin.

Once that happens, he estimates it would only take a couple of weeks to repair the truss. The job consists of using a hydraulic jacking system anchored in the basement to raise the broken area, then splicing in new components.

Heuett also said there are areas of rot in some other minor rafters that will be fixed. Parts of the roof surface can then be removed and new underlayment, felt and shingles installed.

And he again questioned the city's concern over its perceived instability of the building. City officials closed the two blocks of Eighth Street to the west after the condemnation, but Heuett said the risk of collapse is nil.

"The building is sound right now," he said. "People could be driving by. The walls are not going to fall down, and the truss is not going to collapse. The truss could sit there for years to come, just the way it is."

"The building is definitely saveable," Heuett said. "It's just how much money does somebody want to put into it."

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Mills may be contacted at jmills@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2266.

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