Historic Sandusky State Theatre enters phase one of restoration project

SANDUSKY, Ohio — The Sandusky State Theatre is entering a new phase of its restoration, more than five years after it was severely damaged in a windstorm.

In a press release, the theatre said phase one of the restoration involves the enclosure of the rear of the building to protect it from the elements while work on the interior is underway. This phase is a permanent construction, and is expected to take approximately 12 to 16 weeks to complete. Construction will be completed by JG Johnson Construction Company, which is based in Cleveland. 

The phase is funded in its entirety through a cost-sharing agreement between the theatre and Old Republic Surety Company, the theatre said. An estimate for the cost of the entire project is in mediation. Meanwhile, the theatre said the board had put in the follow “key safeguards” prior to construction: Insurance coverage on the building, a use of both a performance bond and a payment bond for the previous contract, as well as a “not-to-exceed” clause for cost control. 

“The start of construction marks real, tangible progress for this community landmark,” said Colleen Shay Murray, the Board Chair of the Sandusky State Theatre, in a press release. “Every step taken now is a step closer to reopening the Theatre’s doors and returning this space to its rightful place at the heart of arts and culture in our region.”

The theatre didn’t say in the press release when it was expected to reopen, but in July 2025, the theatre board told WTOL 11 the goal was to complete renovations and reopen the theatre within 12 to 18 months – a timeframe that falls between July 2026 and January 2027. 

But this isn’t the first work that’s been done on the theatre since it was damaged. Major renovations officially began in April 2022, but by June 2024, local subcontractors raised concerns that stalled progress. When months of negotiations failed to reach a resolution, the theatre board filed a performance bond claim with the general contractor’s surety company.

The theatre was damaged in a storm on June 10, 2020. The storm tore off half the structure’s roof. At the time, the theatre had already been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theatre was building 1928.