Rodgers Theatre tower replaced

Workers replaced the metal frame tower that sits on top of the iconic Rodgers Theatre marquee early Thursday morning.

It’s the first step in work to replace the roof and eventually restore the exterior to the glory that made the Poplar Bluff location among the best of original owner Walter Rodgers’ chain.

The Rodgers family owned several theaters, Brad Chronister explained Thursday morning, as a crane lifted the newly sandblasted and freshly painted metal frame. Chronister is secretary of Rodgers Theatre Inc., the group long responsible for fundraising and work to restore the 70-year-old building.

“None of them looked like this. They were a lot simpler. This was really the crown jewel of what he had,” Chronister said.

The tower needed to be reattached before Bartch Roofing of St. Louis begins work to replace the roof, according to Wally Duncan, RTI president. This will start no later than Aug. 31 and is expected to finish by the end of September.

The theater received a grant for $336,900 from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and raised $45,000 in matching money to pay for the roof.

The metal tower is replaced on the Rodgers Theatre roof during work Thursday morning. Lighting and replacing the refurbished RODGERS letters will come later.DAR/Donna Farley

While the roof helps stabilize the building, board members are also anxious to move on to the work members of the public have long asked for, the marquee.

Work to sandblast and paint the metal frame was done by Randy Hederer. JML Crane and Halcumb Construction replaced it. Several lateral pieces had rusted in half and had to be repaired or replaced, Duncan said.

Some electrical work is next, as well as completion of the restoration of the Rodgers letters that attach to the tower. RTI received sponsorship from community members to repair the letters.

They have also worked to match the original corrugated glass that was behind the letters, Chronister said.

“Finding the right look at an agreeable price is still kind of a work in process,” he said, adding the board has looked at architectural salvage businesses for the right materials.

And of course the board wants to repair the rounded edge of the marquee that was damaged years ago when it was hit by a truck.

“We’re going to try to bring it back to what it looked like originally,” Duncan said of the exterior. “Originally (the tower) was lighted on the inside. We’re going to go back to that design, have it where the outer covering will be translucent.”

For more information, the group maintains a website, www.rodgerstheatre.org , and Facebook page.