With the backing of a third major contributor, the Reeves Theater restoration organization will beginning rolling out its plan for a downtown arts center next month.

Robin Turner said Friday that the group learned last week that it received a $23,500 grant from the Rural Development Center.

"We got all of what we applied for," said Turner a co-chairman of the Reeves restoration group.

The organization took control of the property last year from a group of local investors. That former group of investors had held the property for more than five years, had stabilized the roof, but was unable to push forward with plans to restore it to a state of the art performing arts center.

Since the beginning of the year, the new Reeves group led by Turner and Cicely McCulloch of Dina's Bookstore, next to the downtown Elkin Theater, has gotten planning support from the Town of Elkin and Surry County Board of Commissioners.

Turner said Friday that the Rural center grant will allow work to continue on architectural and business model plans.

The group has continued a survey of the building and begun stabilization of the deteriorating parts of the structure like the marquee that hangs over the sidewalk on West Main Street.

This morning, the group was to receive a bid from a contractor on demolition of the interior of the building,, Turner said. That includes removal of the seats,asbestos abatement and removal of an old boiler.

Careful architectural planning is required to maintain historic character of the 1940s era building. part of the economic value is tax incentives for restoring an historic structure.

March 11, the group will roll out its plans with a meeting at Elkin Creek Bar & Grill, the former Cimarron Steak House on North Bridge Street.

The meeting will include a talk by a representative of the International League of Historic Theaters. "We want to start letting the community at large know why this is a good thing," Turner said. "It could be an anchor for downtown," she said "It could be a reason for people to come and visit and stay for a weekend. We are thinking regionally with this."

The idea is for the facility to offer diversified cultural events. It will have a theater and meeting rooms. It could possibly serve as a site for local classes of Surry Community College. Community theater could use it. "We are considering Hispanic movies, trying to reach out to that community," Turner said. "We may offer vintage movies as well.

Former mayor Tom Gwyn, who dealt with the ups and downs former Reeve projects in the past said he is encouraged by the plan. "I'm impressed with their work, commitment and courage," he said.