It was a memorable day Tuesday at Clarksburg’s City Hall, as City Manager Martin Howe and WYK Associates, Inc.’s President and Principal-in-Charge James Swiger signed the contract for the restoration of the former Robinson Grand Theatre under the watchful eye of Mayor Catherine Goings. The restoration project will be a keystone to the urban renewal of Clarksburg’s downtown district.
Over the course of approximately the next 16 months, the local architectural planning firm will lead a team of consultants to update the building with state-of-the-art technology, while keeping the historic integrity intact. Together, they will distill the vision of the future center for arts and entertainment in the region into an visual experience, a tangible model and finally into a building plan that – once executed – will convert the century-old landmark into the cultural heart of Harrison County and the entire region.
“We may work on other historic theatre projects in the future, but there is only one theater like this in our county,” says Swiger. “Memories from my childhood have accompanied me all my life, and I am sure that a lot of adults between the ages 30-100 have their personal memories of the Robinson Grand Theatre. We will bring it back bigger and grander than ever, that is my promise to our hometown!”
