BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- The race is on to raise the final piece of funding to complete the Schine Theater restoration project. 

To close the $500,000 gap required to finish the project, volunteers have launched the "Unlock the Schine" project. 

Board members say the non-profit has secured over $2.7 million in grant funding to renovate the project, but with a total cost estimate of $3.2 million community support is needed. 

At the heart of the issue is the need to secure the additional resources to unlock grant funding. 

Massena Arts and Theater Association (MATA) officials say the current phase includes restoration of the entire Art Deco facade, critical roof repairs and the long-anticipated reinstallation of the theater's iconic marquee. 

MATA officials say the visible updates "will provide the first public glimpse of the Schine's future, signaling both progress and promise for the downtown corridor." 

“This is a turning point—not just for the Schine, but for Massena,” said Allison Smith, Board President of the Massena Arts and Theater Association and local business owner. “After years of planning, we’re seeing real, tangible progress. The community has carried this project forward with incredible heart, and now we’re starting to see the reward for that belief.”

Phase one of the project focused on necessary work like asbestos abatement, structural assessments and environmental safety, work that may not have been noticeable to the public. 

But with that work now complete, the project is ready to move forward with $2.7 million in state and regional grant funding secured. 

The next phase, made possible with funding through the village's Downtown Revitalization Initiative Core of the Community Grant, along with a major donation from SeaComm Federal Credit Union and assistance from the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC).

Once completed, the Schine Theater will become a "multi-purpose cultural center" that will host classic films, live performances, music and community events. 

"It has been 13 years since the organization (MATA) formed as a non-profit. To date, we have accomplished quite a bit. The establishment of the nonprofit, the acquisition of the building, the asbestos abatement, and all but $400,000 of the money needed to complete the restoration," Smith said.

Secretary Matt Lebire clarified the funding situation during a recent village board meeting, noting the organization has received nothing from the grant funded sources to date, with matching funds needing to be secured prior. 

"The biggest question we often get asked is, 'What have you done with the money that's been donated?' So a couple of things I want to point out to everyone is that the funds are used in part for a mortgage. So, they have a mortgage to maintain, they have insurance, they have utilities. So, part of that is maintaining monthly expenses," Lebire said.

Lebire said the second point has not yet been seen, with the marquee taking a portion of the funds.

"Thanks to very generous donors, that marquee had to be sandblasted, had to have material defects and repairs done to it, repainted. It's been fully rewired with faux LED light replacements. A programmable logic controller was purchased, which was shockingly expensive as well, so they can actually do the traditional light shows that the original marquee did," Lebire said.

In an effort to secure further funding, MATA will host a "Seats for the Schine" event  on Saturday, September 6 from 1-4 p.m.

The event will allow the public to purchase a piece of history by bidding on some of the original seats from the Schine Theater. 

From 1-2:30 p.m. buyers can purchase a "build your own kit" seat, with one seat costing $40, 2 seats costing $75 and 5 seats costing $125. 

Flat or decline seating options are available. 

From 2:30-3:30 p.m. a silent seat auction will be held for four or five seat arrangements that are fully assembled. 

Pickup will be available from 4-4:30 p.m. 

From 3-4 p.m. a clearance sale will also be held. 

Buyers and bidders are encouraged to drive in behind the theater, located at 65 Main Street, and to come down the alley that says "Hot Yoga." 

Cash, checks, cards and Venmo will be accepted. 

"Every purchase supports the Unlock the Schine campaign, bringing this historic downtown treasure back to life. Don’t miss your chance to own an authentic piece of the Schine Theater!" MATA wrote.

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