STEADY PROGRESS THROUGH MAJOR PROJECTS
- The Rivoli Coalition began raising funds to acquire title to the property and to completely replace the roof surface in 2010. During purchasing negotiations, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality sponsored an environmental analysis of the building and property; no significant environmental issues were identified.
- The Pendleton Development Commission purchased the theater and donated it to the Coalition in June 2012. The Coalition then immediately hired Palmer Roofing to replace the roof surface, which substantially improved the integrity and longevity of the structure.
- The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality sponsored the removal of a pair of abandoned, four hundred gallon oil tanks from the Rivoli basement in May 2013. The federal Environmental Protection Agency funded the project. At the same time, the Coalition directed the removal of an obsolete 1,000 cubic foot basement furnace. In addition to fulfilling our environmental obligations, these two projects converted 300 square feet of basement floor into usable space.
- The Coalition completed the initial restoration of the Main Street facade in fall of 2013. The restoration included removal of over 500 square feet of unsightly and troublesome pebble board covering original second floor windows. Contractors repaired many areas of deteriorated stucco. Chippewa Painting finished the façade restoration by applying an attractive historical color palette selected by Amy Rogers.
- In September 2013, Froelich Engineering of Portland, Oregon, completed a detailed structural assessment and report. This report will guide the work to restore the main floor, rebuild the lower balcony, repair the roof and install structural steel upgrades to strengthen the building’s interior. Although local building code does not mandate seismic work, the Rivoli Board believes that this step is an essential component of responsible restoration.
- Tektoniks, Inc. of Walla Walla, Washington, removed all asbestos from the building in November 2013. Fortunately, the asbestos was limited to tiles on a portion of the second floor and insulation found in isolated areas of the building and lining the basement furnace.
- The archeology program at Eastern Oregon University conducted a preliminary archaeological evaluation of the Rivoli basement in February 2014 and is considering further organized archaeological digs to search for locally significant historical artifacts.
- The Coalition painted the lobby in April 2014, and electrical service has also been restored to this portion of the building. Beginning with the 2015 Pendleton Farmers Market, the Rivoli’s lobby will be open to the public for use by market vendors. The Coalition also plans to host several open-house events throughout the year.
- The Rivoli Board hired Eastern Oregon Business Source of Pendleton to assist the Board with development of this strategic plan in the spring of 2014. After a thorough review of our accomplishments and aspirations for this project, we believe that we have completed most of the work required to prepare the Rivoli for restoration and return to community service.
- In 2016 the main floor demo was completed by Umatilla County Corrections and an archaeology dig was performed by Eastern Oregon University. Additionally, LA-based rock band La Luz played a benefit concert for the theater at the Great Pacific.
- The phase one construction contract was awarded to Kirby Nagelhout Construction in 2017 and the first stages of construction began. The Coalition hosted a Chamber Ambassadors’ ribbon cutting ceremony on October 13, 2017.
- In 2021 the large beam was removed from the building.
- In 2022 the Rivoli Coalition received a $1.5 million grant from the State of Oregon.
- Phase One construction resumed in the Rivoli Theater for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2023. Phase One construction will be finished by the end of summer 2023.
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