Officials with the Springfield Revitalization Corporation announced that they are preparing to advertise for contractors to bid on Phase I of the long-awaited renovation work on the historic MARS Theatre at 106 S. Laurel Street in downtown Springfield.

“The theatre’s history and its future plans make it vital to the future of the arts in Effingham County,” said Barbara Oglesby, vice-president of the SRC. “What we are building here is an educational and performing arts center to serve the whole county.” She said they look at the Mars as becoming a catalyst to spur growth in the arts in Effingham.

Phase I of the new construction will include new roofing for the building as well as blocking up existing gaps in the walls. There also will be basic renovation work to the lobby, to include making one of the restrooms Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, and installing glass blocks on the front. Once this work is completed, the group will be able to utilize the lobby and balcony areas to host small events.

Effingham Orchestra leader Andrea Huff said that the group has high hopes of being able to use the Mars for performances and for equipment storage space, although the existing stage is smaller than they would need. Plans, however, do call for the stage to be enlarged under future phases of construction. Eventually, a separate but connected building would be constructed on the right side of the existing structure in order to provide additional spaces for practice, dressing, and storage.

Once phase I is completed, the SRC hopes to be able to begin offering limited programming in the facility, and expanding as further construction funding becomes available.  

The group is currently exploring both construction and programming grants and will announce plans soon for a major fundraising kickoff event to be held inside the theatre.

“This will give the community the ability to actually see the facility — to touch it and get excited about the future along with us,” said SRC member Gussie Nease.

Interested contractors can get sets of plans from area Savannah Blueprint locations or by contacting Linda Rineair at Springfield City Hall.

For more information, call Oglesby at 826-0826.