It’s hard to see a downside to the city of Negaunee acquiring ownership of the Historic Vista Theater.

The venerable structure has been little more than a shell since Aug. 26, 2020, when the roof over the auditorium collapsed due to a rainwater buildup caused by a drainage failure.

Since then, the building has been condemned.

In May, the Negaunee City Council voted to accept ownership of the building from the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council for $1, providing a competitive grant from the State Land Bank Authority be approved.

That has happened so things are starting to fall into place.

Through the State Land Bank Authority, the city of Negaunee was awarded a $435,424 to stabilize the theater building by “constructing a roof on the building and removing negative environmental factors from inside.”

Noted Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron: “We are very fortunate to have great partners such as the Marquette County Land Bank Authority. Together with our city staff, we will now be able to save this historic building in downtown Negaunee.”

In addition to the $435,424 grant, the state of Michigan allocated $3 million from the state’s general fund to help the city of Negaunee restore the building.

Added County Land Bank Director Anne Giroux: “The (Marquette County) Land Bank is thrilled to see these funds coming to Marquette County. Partnering with local units of government, like the city of Negaunee, to eliminate blight and restore important community assets is central to our mission. We are very proud of our partnership with the city and our successful grant application.”

The Marquette County Land Bank Authority will be the grantee and administrator of the funds and project.

All of the above adds up to great news.

For more information about the Historic Vista Theater, visit vistatheater.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/paacvistatheater.