Revitalization is underway for Rosenberg’s historic Cole Theater.
The overview
At a July 23 meeting, Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved a $102,500 contract with Smith & Company Architects Inc. for pre-design building assessment and a comprehensive vision for the facility.
The theater, located at 903 Third St., Rosenberg, originally opened in 1919 as the Liberty Theatre and served as a fully functioning live theater and movie theater until 1982. Following the last movie, the theater also served as a musical venue and television studio, though it has been closed since 2005, according to a paper written by Anni Lundy in efforts of getting a state-designated historical landmark for the theater.
The project will be funded by the county’s 2023 parks bond, which includes $1.02 million set aside for the theater decontamination, assessments, and preliminary designs and schematics, according to the county’s 2023 parks bond project list.
The specifics
According to agenda documents, Smith & Company Architects and its partners will provide a report outlining the county’s vision for the theater. Services will also include:
- Locating existing documentation and data gathering
- Feasibility study
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing assessment
- Envelope and structural assessment
- Life safety and building code assessment
Notable quote
"This building is an important part of history for Fort Bend County," Nadia Hakim, Fort Bend County Precinct 4 communications director, said in an email. "We want to restore this site not only to preserve the century’s worth of history that comes with this building but to attract new visitors and artists so that it can continue to function as a space where audiences can immerse themselves in culture."
In case you missed it
After owning the theater for nearly 20 years, William “Bill” Butler donated the theater to Fort Bend County in May with hopes to see the theater restored.
What’s next
The assessments will be completed within six months from the notice to proceed, according to agenda documents.
