My friends from high school moved from Hawaii to Spokane, Washington nine years ago and have never once regretted their decision to do so. Sadly, I’ve only been out to visit once since they’ve moved and had their first child. It’s unfortunate not only because I miss seeing them, but also because Spokane is a beautiful area and I have yet to explore all that it has to offer.
One attraction that I am looking forward to visiting the next time I get out there is the legendary Fox Theater. The structure was scheduled to be torn down and replaced with a parking garage seven years ago, but thanks to donations from private citizens and more than $8 million in state funds, the theater received a $31 million makeover and has now reopened to the public.
Prior to the major overhaul the theater was being used as a budget movie house in a seedy part of downtown Spokane. Now it will be the new home of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra.
What’s more, the theater isn’t the only one that received a much-needed facelift. The Fox joins other restored buildings in Spokane’s new Davenport Arts District, including the freshly renovated Davenport Hotel, the 800-seat Bing Crosby Theater, The Big Easy concert hall, and numerous nightclubs and art galleries. The revitalization project now gives Spokanites the option of seeing the likes of the Gonzaga Wind Symphony and Tony Bennett along a two-block stretch of Sprague Avenue.
As for the Fox Theater, patrons can now take in live shows and not worry about sitting in wadded up chewing gum. The restoration work included removing years of dirt, grime and popcorn grease, along with paint that covered Depression-era murals. Which means you can now see paintings of underwater flora on the first floor, fantasy landscapes of castles and clouds on the second, and a giant sunburst on the ceiling.
A final note: Officially, the building will be called the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox as opposed to the Fox Theater. Civics leaders thought it appropriate to honor Woldson, an early railroad construction contractor who died in 1958, since his daughter donated $3 million to the restoration project.
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