Lucas Theatre Addition

The City of Lucas will use KAN STEP Grant for Theatre Addition

The City of Lucas (Russell County) will use volunteer labor from the community valued at $199,911 and $292,485 in KAN STEP funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce (Commerce) to complete an addition to the community theatre valued at $492,396.

The current theatre is used to hold community meetings, school projects, movies and other projects. With a 1,700 square foot addition, the City of Lucas hopes to have a building that allows theatrical productions. The expansion will include dressing areas needed for the actors, space to move scenery, and storage for theater props in the basement. This community has already demonstrated their commitment to volunteer work as the current theatre was renovated through volunteer help and donations.

Project representative at Lucas is Leslie Schneider. Grant administration will be provided by Michell Kippes of Northwest Kansas Planning and Development. Don Marrs of DMA Architects, Salina, is the architect for the project. Kansas Rural Water Association will provide inspection services and technical assistance.

KAN STEP is a self-help program that enables small communities to make major infrastructure improvements. Local people volunteer labor and services or "sweat equity," while the Kansas Department of Commerce provides funding for materials and technical services. An acronym for Kansas Small Towns Environment Program, KAN STEP gives small Kansas communities an opportunity to do projects they couldn't otherwise afford. The funding is provided through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.