By Dan Podehl

MILLVILLE — The news came a few days before Christmas, and for the Levoy Theatre project and the Holly City, the new year is looking up.

In less than a week the Levoy Preservation Society tapped its general contractor for the needed restoration on the old High Street movie house in the heart of the city’s Arts District, and on Dec. 22 officials from the Cumber­land County Improvement Authority, the city and the society gathered for the authority’s $1 million forgivable loan presentation to the city. The gathering was up the street at the CCIA’s headquarters at High and Main.

The Levoy Preservation Society selected the construction firm Arthur J. Ogren Inc., based out of Vineland.

Officials said the city plans to pay back the interest of the loan, which is around $200,000, during the next decade through Urban Enterprise Zone money.

In order to qualify for the loan, the theater, located at 126-130 N. High St., will use energy efficient appliances, as well as recyclable materials.

Lauren Van Embden, theater Board Chairwoman, said plans are on track for a fall opening, perhaps during October or November.

During the contractor announcement it was shared by Levoy Preservation Society members that Ogren will have a budget of around $6.5 million.

Levoy Preservation Society members selected Ogren because of its extensive experience with building projects similar to the Levoy Theatre.

Ogren representatives said that it estimates half of the total construction budget will be dedicated to labor costs.

Arthur Ogren, Jr., company president, said that the theater project will create approximately 130 jobs during the 10-month time frame. Ogren added that many area subcontractors and union workers will be hired.

Van Embden said Ogren submitted the lowest responsible bid, and was among two other finalists, whose names weren’t shared. Also playing a role in the decision was Ogren’s past work on theaters at Millville’s Lakeside Middle School and in the Buena School District.

Van Embden added that the theatre plans call for a seating capacity of around 700.

Ogren said that construction permits will be applied for in early January and that construction will run from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. when it’s under way. He added that a lane of High Street could be closed occasionally, but local businesses will see an increase in foot traffic thanks to the workers.

As for the construction itself, Ogren said everything will be taken out from the inside, while preserving historical items.

“The only thing that will remain are the four walls that we’ll brace,” Ogren said.

After the press conference Van Embden shared that the board will soon close on its loans and financing and begin hiring staff.

To date the Levoy Theatre Preservation Society has raised $8.3 million to cover the construction and closing costs of the financial package.

The package includes federal tax credits, a $1.6 million loan from Sun National Bank that was partially guaranteed by the state Economic Development Authority, a $1 million grant from the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, a loan from the Grow Millville Fund and a grant from the local Urban Enterprise Zone.