Are you looking to own a little piece of the Free State? If so, your time has come! The historic 1927 Menard Mission Theatre will soon be available for purchase. The Theatre has been under the umbrella of the Menard Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) since 2015. After those 7 years, and many years prior, with several groups in charge, the Theatre remains largely derelict.
In the past year, the MIDC has been informally approached by individuals with interest in purchasing the Theatre. Interested parties have cited their passion for local history and the arts, and in seeing downtown Menard eventually flourish. The Board realizes that the yearsold approach of local committee involvement has not been effective in restoring the building. The topic of offering the building for sale has been carefully considered by MIDC Board members, according to MIDC Executive Director Cherry Swindall.
“We are not in the business of renovation,” said MIDC Board member Dean Mayhew. “It’s going to take a substantial amount of money to make this a usable a facility.”
Swindall was also the ED when the Board elected to offer the historic First Christian Church (on Tipton Street) for sale. Similarly to the Theatre situation, repeated community and MIDC attempts at organizing successful committees was eventually eclipsed by the interest of local purchase. The MIDC offered the church for sale via sealed bid in December of 2021. The church and its lot were sold to the highest sealed offer— $75,000 sales price— that met contract requirements. Since the church has made its way into the private sector, much progress has been made, and the owner reports that additional plans are well on their way to fruition.
MIDC Board members are quick to point out the deed restrictions that will come with the purchase of the Theater. The highpoint of these restrictions include: The building must contain a non-residential business. In other words, you cannot live in it; it must remain a commercial endeavor. Additionally, deed restrictions strictly state the building cannot be torn down, nor can the historic façade be demolished.
The Mission Theatre was built in 1927 and remained in business until 1957. In 1971 the Theatre underwent a brief renovation and in 1972 - 1979 there were movies shown inside. In the flood of 1980, much of Menard’s downtown suffered major flood damage, including the Theatre. Operation of the facility ceased, and by 1990 the roof caved. Soon after, a tree started growing through the dilapidated floor. Detailed records have not been kept by one consistent agency, and the Theatre has changed hands many times.
In 2015, the Theatre deed and the bank account were handed over to the MIDC by its then-guardian, the Mission Theatre Restoration Foundation (MTRF). Former Board member notes suggest that prior to this change of ownership, the group expanded the Theater coffers by approximately $10,000 across that decade. According to patchy records, much of those funds raised and spent before MIDC took control of the building went toward roof repairs, legal fees, and additional fundraising efforts.
At the time of the 2015 reacquisition of the Theatre property, the MIDC assisted in revising bylaws and taking a closer look at the Theatre restoration project. The group’s name stayed the same, and the Mission Theatre Restoration Foundation was now operating under the MIDC. The MIDC donated $20,000 to the newly-refreshed committee with the goal of finally seeing measurable progress at the site.
The MTRF committee cut a bargain deal with a roofing contractor and managed to get a brand-new roof installed in 2018. That cost the $20k gift from the MIDC and the little they already had in the bank. It also stopped trees from growing inside and helped to “dry in” the building. This prevented the further deterioration of the stage and balcony area, so the new roof project was deemed an overall success.
In 2019 the Mission Theatre Restoration Foundation under the MIDC was dissolved into a non-viable board after 3 of the 5 board members resigned due to turmoil within the committee. At that point, MIDC formed the non-profit committee dubbed the Menard Mission Theatre Performing Arts Corporation. This new entity was separate from MIDC, but the board members were exactly the same. This allowed the Board financial control and the say on the project moving forward; all involved agreed the historical aspect must stay a priority.
Under the Performing Arts Corporation the Board appointed a fundraising committee consisting of interested parties—some with theater experience, some with historical interest, and all new to and passionate about the ongoing Theatre project. The MIDC granted the new fundraising committee $20,000 to get them started on their growing list of fundraising concepts.
As most stories around the year 2020 go… the committee hit a brick wall by the name of COVID-19. No in-person fundraising could be held. The public’s priorities were on family and health, not restoring the Mission. By the fall of 2021, the reorganized committee was able to hold their first major fundraiser, billed “Ranching Woes & Joys.” The event raised approximately $2,800. With an added $1,000 donation by Dr. Jake Landers, the fundraiser brought in a total of just over $3,800.
The previous MIDC donation of $20k has essentially operated the building, paid legal fees (filing tax forms, establishing a non-profit paperwork), assisted with the cost of fundraising, as well as allowed for new windows to be installed to the upper portion of the building, and repairs to the awning.
According to bank statements, at press time the bank account for the Mission Theatre has a balance of $13,781.87. “The MIDC cannot afford, in funding or in time, to rebuild this historic beauty,” said MIDC President Tyler Wright. “This project could cost $500,000 or more and we don’t have that.”
All publicly donated funds— from the $3800 in fundraising— will be spent on planned improvements to the building prior to sale. The funds will go toward electrical updates and lighting for the purpose of showing the building to interested bidders. The ultimate destination of the remaining bank balance— approximately $9,978— left in the account after public funds have been spent, will be discussed at the regularly scheduled July 12, 2022 MIDC meeting. At that time, the Theater account will be closed, as will the chapter with MIDC’s oversight of the Menard Mission Theatre.
“Just like the boards and committees before us, we had good intentions for the Theatre, but it’s out of our scope. It is now clear that the Theatre needs to return to the private sector to allow it a chance at revival. It’s time.” said Wright. “We’ve got to do what is best for the Theatre.”
For the sale of the Theatre, the MIDC Board will be accepting sealed bids. This means the bid must be in a sealed envelope, received by the MIDC office between June 21, 2022-July 8, 2022. The exact deadline to submit bids is noon on Friday, July 8, 2022.
A bidder may only submit one bid, one time. Bidders may leave their sealed bid in person at the MIDC/Chamber office at 100 E. San Saba during business hours. Bids may also be dropped in the night drop box on the outside of the building. Lastly, bids can be mailed with a postmark deadline of July 8, 2022. The mailing address for mail-in bids is: MIDC, P.O. Box 176, Menard, TX, 76859.
The sealed bids will be opened by the Board on July 12, 2022 at the regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of the MIDC. The highest bid meeting all requirements of sale will be considered and accepted. Minimum bid is $55,000.
Local attorney Valera Kothmann, with Massey Ballentine, P.C., will prepare the legal paperwork for the sale, representing MIDC. As stated above, there are two main terms and conditions (restrictions) that will be included in the deed— no residential occupancy, and no demolition/major alteration of the historic façade or destruction of the building.
The office of the MIDC will begin accepting appointments from potential buyers to tour the building on May 16, 2022. Appointments will be available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., via the MIDC office. Potential bidders may call 325-396-2365 to set up an appointment. Any interested party is welcome to call the office for questions as well.
Because the MIDC operates under the City of Menard, the Theatre sale will be on the agenda for official approval at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting May 9, 2022 at noon. City Council members, Mayor Hooten, and City Administrator Don Kearns have all been kept “in the loop” regarding these MIDC decisions, and no resistance from the city is expected.
• Accepting sealedbids: June 21, 2022-July 8, 2022 DEALINE IS NOON FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022 (or postmarked by 7 /8)
• Mail bids to: MIDC, P.O. Box 176 • Bids can be dropped off: 100 E. San Saba at Chamber office or deposit in night drop slot at Chamber
• Sealed bids to be opened: at MIDC quarterly meeting July 12, 2022 at noon.
• Questions? Call: 325-396-2365
• Building tours for prospective buyers begin: May 16, 2022, by appointment only. Call325-396-2365 to make an appointment.