This $5.3 million dollar project has been the subject of planning and investment since 2007 when the Master Planning and Living Landmark processes began.   The project will be funded by a unique combination of public & private investments coming from the Tax Increment District, Grants, Corporate Sponsorships, Individual Donors, and the State of Wisconsin Trust Fund.   With 73% of the project expenses currently committed, the Centennial Committee leads the charge to raise the $2 million dollars needed and re-open the Civic Auditorium to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of first opening this cultural gem on the St. Croix River. 

Donations to the SCF Civic Auditorium are fully tax-deductible pursuant to IRS Code 26 Sec 170(c)(1) for the
public purpose of the rehabilitation and expansion of this civic gathering place. 

Specific capital improvement goals include:
  • adding functional upgrades such as a loading dock, dressing rooms, and restrooms that are prerequisite to increasing programming, attendance and overall use;
  • addressing HVAC needs that prevent the historic building from performing efficiently (remove/replace obsolete boiler; incorporate integrated systems);
  • making the building as energy efficient and sustainable as possible through modern technologies such as LED lighting and building shell improvements;
  • making the Civic Auditorium accessible for audience members, artists, and employees (elevator, assisted listening system, restrooms, concessions, etc);
  • solving challenges related to public restrooms, artist dressing rooms, administrative and storage spaces;
  • removing, responsibly disposing of, and replacing all obsolete equipment currently in use for technical support of the performing arts (fly tower mechanics, lighting grid & equipment, sound system, scenic carpentry and painting areas);
  • upgrading or replacing all furniture and fixtures in the performance hall, attending to all finishes of the ceiling, walls, windows, and floors in a way that celebrates the era of original construction;
  • attending to opportunities for outdoor gathering spaces that celebrate and capitalize on the view of the St. Croix River and bluffline views, creating a “cultural campus” with Overlook Park on the north end of the Historic downtown.

Built by the people, for the people

The most iconic building in our city is the historic Civic Auditorium, which was built in 1916 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2007, ninety years after the grand opening of this cultural community center.   Designed to host touring vaudeville troupes as well as touring opera and theater companies, world history played a role in the quick evolution of the building to a single screen movie house in 1918. 

Nearly a Century of Service

The upper level performance hall served as a movie house until 1985, stood empty for just a few short years, and then in 1990 became the home of Festival Theatre, a professional theatre company.  The street level space was a community center for many years, and in the 1940's hosted a series of small sewing factories, later becoming City office space and finally the municipal library from 1970 through 2009. 

Community Planning

The entire building, as well as the adjacent lot, have been the subject of community planning since 2007 and are the focus of a partnership between the City  and the nonprofit arts organization in residence.   This Centennial Partnership will leverage municipal investment, private investment, and charitable gifts to complete capital improvements and expansion to create a cultural campus for the next century of use. 
The renovation and expansion of the Historic Auditorium will be paid for as follows:
$ 3,200,000      Municipal Funds (TID)      
$    500,000      Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (See WEDC Award)   
$    600,000      Foundations & Institutions                                      
$    250,000      Corporate Marketing / Business Gifts                    
$    750,000      Individual Donors                                                    
73% of funding is in place for the project!