Contributed photo from Anthony Mullin
Inside the Sterling Opera House in Derby.
DERBY – Members of the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwoman voted unanimously on Nov. 14 to issue a “request for proposals” in connection to the historic Sterling Opera House at 112 Elizabeth St.
The request asks qualified consultants to submit prices, resumes and a detailed plan of action – with cost estimates – for the 135-year-old, city-owned building, which has sat vacant for decades and needs extensive interior work.
The consultant will be tasked with creating a comprehensive plan to assess all aspects of the building, from the roof, auditorium, stage, production and public areas to all mechanical, electrical and structural components.
The vote came at the suggestion of the Sterling Opera House Commission, a five-member group that has been working to come up with a plan to restore the building, which, in addition to originally serving as a performing arts center, was previously city hall and the city jail.
“We are excited to finally get the ball rolling,” said Dana Florenza Serna, Sterling Opera House Commission chairwoman. “Getting an assessment done on the opera house is a crucial first step in the process.”
The deadline for companies to respond to the request for proposals is Jan. 15. The city plans to award the job by Feb. 13. The city will offer a site visit and tour to interested parties.
Committee member Gino DiGiovanni, a former Alderman, told the board Thursday that state Rep. Mary Welander secured a $100,000 state grant for the opera house last June.
“We’re looking to have a firm do a feasibility study that will tell us what this will entail, how to bring the building up to code, what work needs to be done,” DiGiovanni said. “This is the starting block. Once we find out what the building needs, then we can start fundraising, look for capital funds, state grants and private funding.”
DiGiovanni said he envisions the opera house being used for live entertainment, similar to the Palace Theater in both Waterbury and Danbury, which are smaller venues that host live music, comedians and smaller acts.
“It can be used for concerts, comedy shows and also be used by school drama clubs,” DiGiovanni said. “I’d also like to see someone like a Live Nation come in and buy 300 of the 365 days and pay the city a fee where they can book concerts or comedians to generate income for the city. It’ll definitely boost the downtown.”
Previously reported cost estimates to renovate the opera house ranged from $9 million to $15 million.
Derby Mayor Joseph DiMartino’s Chief of Staff Linda Fusco said she’s excited about what the future holds for the opera house.
“The Sterling Opera House can and should be the jewel of this city, restored, used, and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” Fusco told the Valley Indy via an email. “We see this as an important first step to understanding what can be done and what should be done. Further grants can then be applied for with a solid base of information and a clear direction.”
The Sterling Opera House Commission has been working informally with David Condon, of DNS Associates. He’s a Derby native with a background in fundraising.
Built in 1889, the opera house, according to the city’s website, is named for Charles A. Sterling, founder of the former Derby-based Sterling Piano Company. In its heyday, celebrities including George Burns, Lionel, John and Ethel Barrymore, Harry Houdini and even Amelia Earhart appeared at the theater, prior to its final curtain call in 1945. City Hall and the police station occupied the first floor of the building until 1965. The opera house was the first structure in Connecticut to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
