Mid Mon Valley Cultural Trust

335 McKean Avenue, Charleroi PA 15022

Press Release February 23, 2012            Contact Barry Cassidy  484 880 1530                       

For Immediate Release:

The Mid-Mon Valley Cultural Trust has retained the services of a consultant to act as the project manager for the restoration of the Coyle Theater.  Chairman Nancy Ellis announced that Barry Cassidy, a consultant from Philadelphia would guide the strategic planning and development of the theater.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Cassidy working with the Cultural Trust, his vast array of experiences will help the Trust with grant packaging and project management”, stated Charleroi Mayor Nancy Ellis.

Cassidy, a native of Canonsburg, has worked revitalizing downtowns since 1985 and has worked in Lock Haven, DuBois, Downingtown, Phoenixville and Philadelphia’s South Street District.  Former Governor Edward Rendell named him a Keystone Laureate in Tourism for his work in implementing Arts and Entertainment districts on South Street and Phoenixville. Cassidy is also the co-founder of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.

“I am aware that there have been issues with funding in the past.  Most of these issues deal with the conflicting time lines for grant funding.  Grants become a little cumbersome at times because there is a need to ensure that all the grant awards are timely.  It appears that the delay from the expected October 15^th 2012 Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program grant award had a cascading affect on the other committed funding.  It is a common occurrence, we will start again from scratch”, said Cassidy.

“We are currently projecting that we will begin construction shortly after July 1, 2014 in a phased manner.  We are meeting with the local stakeholders to discuss implementing a downtown economic development strategy based upon arts and entertainment.  The economic development strategy would incorporate the theater as the centerpiece of the revitalization but would also encourage arts entrepreneurs to invest in some of the undervalued real estate in Charleroi” he concluded.

The project will follow the 1988 & 2008 MacLachlan, Cirnelius & Filoni study recommendations and seek to utilize the Theater as an Art House movie with occasional shows with both local and national acts.