SYRACUSE — Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre is set for interior and exterior improvement projects beginning in June 2020.

The facility will use a $2 million state grant to replace the Salina Street marquee and all the seats in the venue’s auditorium. The theatre will close in the second week of June and stay closed until just after Labor Day, according to Mike Intaglietta, executive director of the Landmark Theatre.

“That’s a down time for the Landmark. A lot of people want to be outside during the summer. We figured that was the best time to do it,” Intaglietta said in speaking with reporters after the Oct. 23 formal announcement about the funding for the project.

New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse) announced the state funding inside the downtown venue. He noted that the seat-replacement project is “long overdue.” 

“These important capital improvements will help to sustain the historical and iconic building for years to come,” Magnarelli said in his remarks. 

The Dormitory Authority of State of New York will administer the $2 million in grant funding, per a Landmark Theatre news release about the project. The Landmark anticipates crews will complete both projects in the summer of 2020.

The total cost for both projects and all the ancillary projects that surround them is about $2.5 million, so the Landmark has about 80 percent of its funding, Intaglietta also told reporters after the formal announcement.

“We’ll be … seeking support from the community, grant funding from foundations to meet the goal. I’m very optimistic this is going to generate a lot of enthusiasm,” he said. 

Crews will replace the current marquee with a replica of the Landmark’s original 1928 marquee, with the addition of video displays and “high-efficiency” LED lamps.

The project also involves the replacement of the current seats in all sections of the theatre with more “ergonomic and comfortable” models, adding extra legroom per seat while retaining the historical color scheme and upholstery styles. 

The project will also include additional ADA compliant seats will be added to layout as well. ADA is short for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

“This investment acknowledges the important role that our arts institutions play in our regional economy, and these improvements help us to preserve a treasured and historic performing arts venue right here in the heart of our downtown,” Andy Breuer, President of the Landmark Theatre board of directors, said.

The Oct. 23 announcement focused on the future of the Landmark Theatre, but Intaglietta opened the event acknowledging that the downtown facility has had an active and “very successful” 2019.

“By year’s end, we will have well over 100,000 guests walk through those doors to enjoy our concerts, comedy, family shows, and touring Broadway productions,” Intaglietta said. “But we still have room to improve and better serve downtown Syracuse and the county of Onondaga.” 

SYRACUSE — Work continues on a project to improve the 112-year-old armory that is home to the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST).

The nonprofit museum, located at 500 S. Franklin St. in Syracuse, is using a $500,000 state grant for the improvements. The New York State Assembly awarded the grant money.

“This funding will ensure critical roof repairs, mechanical upgrades, and exterior work, all of which will be completed before our next Central New York winter,” Lauren Kochian, president of the MOST, said in her remarks at an Oct. 16 event.

When asked about what firms are handling the work, she said, “We have multiple vendors handling the contracts … Our facilities committee on our board of trustees oversees that with our facilities team in-house.” 

Kochian thanked New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for their support and understanding of just how “vital” the armory is for the community and the MOST. 

The funding will pay for improvements to the Armory building from its foundation and exterior components, to its roof and inner-mechanical operations, the MOST said.

“We’ve built a home within the armory in the name of science and technology and our home needs some repairs to be the best that it can be,” said Kochian.

In his remarks, Magnarelli noted that building repairs aren’t the “glitzy things” that usually attract grant funding, but MOST officials believe the repairs to the armory are “critical” to the building. 

As he continued, the Democrat wanted to convey the importance of both the museum and the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education that it provides, which Magnarelli calls “critically important” for education through Central New York and the city of Syracuse. 

The lawmaker then focused on the venue.

“But the building, the armory, is critical to downtown Syracuse … and to see this building start to fall apart for lack of funds, is unacceptable,” said Magnarelli.

Since its inception in 1977 as the first hands-on science center in upstate New York, the MOST’s vision has been to be a “preeminent” science and technology facility for all who visit, Kochian said in her remarks. 

The museum welcomes nearly 120,000 visitors each year.

“And we recognize how important our institution and its foot traffic is to continuing the livelihood of our bustling city,” said Kochian. 

Crews have begun preliminary construction site work at the 49 E. Genesee St. property in the village of Baldwinsville that will be the future home of a new O’Reilly Auto Parts store. The property was formerly home to a Burger King restaurant, which has been demolished. O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORLY) — headquartered in Springfield, Missouri — operates more than 5,200 auto-parts retail stores across the U.S. under the name O’Reilly Auto Parts. The company opened stores in Solvay and Oswego this summer and is also building a store in Fulton. (Adam Rombel / CNYBJ)