Athens’ Ga. Theatre rebuilding about to begin

Published 9:36 am Thursday, June 17, 2010

Reconstruction of the Georgia Theatre, a major concert venue in Athens for more than 30 years, is about to begin a year after the building was destroyed by fire.

The Theatre’s owner, Wilmot Greene, says construction will start as early as next week.

Earlier this month, Athens First Bank & Trust approved a loan for Greene to start rebuilding. The loan is contingent on Greene getting plans approved by the state Department of Natural Resources’ Historic Preservation Division, which will allow Greene to draw federal grant money to help pay for the $4 million project.

The fire, likely caused by a smoldering cigarette or shorted-out fan, erased about $700,000 worth of work Greene had put into the 121-year-old building, which became a concert hall in 1977.