An exterior view of the Vista Theater on Iron Street in Negaunee is shown. The state allocated $3 million as part of its 2023-24 budget to restore the building after the auditorium roof collapsed in August 2020. (Journal file photo)

By DREYMA BERONJA

Journal Staff Writer

NEGAUNEE — The Historic Vista Theater in Negaunee could once again draw theater goers to downtown Negaunee.

The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget on Wednesday. The budget allocates $3 million from the state’s general fund to help the city of Negaunee restore the building.

Funding will be used to construct a new roof over the auditorium after the it collapsed on Aug. 26, 2020, due to a rainwater buildup caused by a drain failure.

Since then, the building has been condemned.

The building is currently owned by the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council, but steps have been taken to transfer the building to the city when and if funding became available.

“I’d really like to thank our state representatives for putting this in the budget and trying to help out with saving the building. We look forward to working with the city and helping out in any way we can,” PAAC President Rusty Bowers said. “Our total goal was to save the building. It may not be the exact way we envisioned it, but we are happy the building will hopefully be preserved, saved and go on for future generations.”

Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron said he’s thankful for everyone who has been involved with making this happen.

“It’s a great opportunity to save a historic building in the historic downtown Negaunee,” Heffron said. “We’re not sure what all this means at this time but as the money gets allocated, we will be working closely with the state and other entities to formulate a project and get (it) started as soon as possible.”

State Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette, said in a press release that she is “proud to support a budget that prioritizes the Upper Peninsula and makes substantial investments” in U.P. communities.”

“We secured millions of dollars to support the needs of our region, ranging from housing and transportation infrastructure to public safety and the arts,” Hill said. “We are well on our way to reversing Lansing’s long history of disinvestment in our northern communities.”

State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, also issued a press release supporting Michigan’s 2023-24 budget.

“While far from perfect, this final budget is a much improved plan that supports our students, pays down debt and makes key investments all across our state to improve our communities and our economy,” McBroom said. “I am proud to have stood up to secure critical investments, such as the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, and $200 million debt payment to the state’s higher education Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System plan — which will greatly assist Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan universities with retirement costs the state dumped on them in the ’90s. The budget also includes many other investments in EMS, infrastructure and other projects.”

Other budget allocations for Upper Peninsula projects include:

≤ $3 million to Baraga County for the construction of a new transportation maintenance facility and service center.

≤ $1.8 million for the Republic Township dam and fish passage project.

≤ $300,000 to extend the Iron Ore Heritage Trail to Lakenenland in Chocolay Township..

≤ and $150,000 to Chocolay Township for the purchase of firefighting equipment.

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

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 548. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.