Rome Capitol Theatre receives $40K from Oneida County for HVAC upgrades

ROME, N.Y. — The Oneida County government has awarded $40,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the Capitol Theatre to upgrade its heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in the newly renovated facility.

“The Capitol Theatre has undergone an amazing transformation, restoring this beautiful facility to its original state,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. said in a press release. “Oneida County was happy to step up and help complete this ambitious project by funding the much-needed upgrade to its HVAC system. The Capitol Theatre plays an essential role in the quality of life of our residents, and we are lucky to reap its rich cultural benefits.”

The theater, located at 230 W. Dominick St. in Rome, completed $2.5 million in renovations to its interior and exterior as part of a New York State Downtown Revitalization Grant. The work, completed in 2021, restored the interior to its 1939 state and the external façade to its original 1928 appearance with a replica of the original marquee and blade sign.

“We are extremely grateful to County Executive Picente and the board of legislators for recognizing the Capitol Theatre as a very important part of the cultural and economic life of Central New York,” Capitol Civic Center, Inc. President Stephen Merren said. “This generous funding will help us finish restoring our theater and preserve it for the next 100 years.”

The Capitol Civic Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide cultural and educational opportunities through the performing and visual arts.