THINGS ARE CHANGING CONSTANTLY AT THE PRINCESS

I visited the Princess today and walked into the "concession" area, where Dr. Tappan used to have his practice, and then made my usual rounds through the auditorium, upstairs to the balcony, and back stage.  I came back to where I came in and there sat the new concessions counter!  It hadn't been 15 minutes!

So, it just goes to show you that things are happening rapidly at the Princess.  Most things are on schedule, but there are a few "hard to find" items that are making an opening a little hard to define.  

 

I've decided that I don't care...I want it open, but I want it to be presentable too!

With a project this bold and complex, an opening date has always been a moving target. I'm thinking that a 2011 opening is a bit ambitious, and that January is looking better.

In the meantime, I'll try my best to keep you up to date with all the changes that are happening.  Believe me, it is really coming together well and everyone has done a terrific job!

 New instrumentation has been added to the "art deco" walls, like these alarm and HVAC controls, but the paint scheme is really looking great.  The paint crew is working everywhere it seems; trying to cover up old paint, but mostly trying to stay ahead of the scratches and dents the construction causes.

The elevator is almost ready...I scared the maintenance man today with a surprise flash!  You can see here that there are a lot of wires, chains, and other gadgets to install.

The new restrooms are being fitted with vanities and sinks, and these additions are going to mean so much to us later.  Remember when there were only 2 to 3 stalls in both old bathrooms?  Well, we should not have to wait in line long in the future!

And, if you're as old as me, you can remember the era of segregation when black citizens had separate restrooms upstairs. [Thankfully we don't have to endure that degradation anymore.]

Those spaces are now rooms for part of the HVAC systems.  We can now enjoy the new facilities, up or downstairs, together; as it should have been.

The seats are still being assembled and they are working both the auditorium floor and the balcony area. 

However, never fear...the opening will be as soon as possible, and we would not want it to be too soon!  The Princess needs to open looking her best.

Don't you agree?

PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE PRINCESS

It used to be that I'd have to wait a month to see real change in the progress at the Princess.  Now, if I don't go every few days, I can miss out on lots of little changes.  Things are really, happening at a fast pace now, and it won't be long before you will see a notice posted here for a grand event!

James Ryan and Adam (forgive me I forgot his last name), of Rocky Top Sign & Neon, are busy most days putting on the metal face of the marquee.  He begins this week finishing up the neon at his shop, and I plan on dropping by to capture a few great moments in neon for history.

I was under the misconception that the marquee was going to be a giant one-piece sign that a crane would have to hoist into place.  Not so!  The frame of the marquee is all wood, some having to be molded into a curved shape that goes up first.  It is then wrapped in black and white metal, which has a plastic shield on the outside to protect it from scratches during installation.  That will be peeled off once the sign is completed covered.

The metal will protect the wood from the weather and keep the marquee sturdy and shiny for years to come.  Over this will be the neon...more on that later.

Inside, Tim Plemons and crew are still painting the vast interior, which has included the auditorium floor.  Some time next week the burgundy seats donated by Regal Cinemas will be bolted into place.  It will then look like a theatre inside as well.  I'm not going to publish any more wide shots of the interior until after the grand opening.  We want it to be a total surprise to you when you walk into the auditorium for the first time!

However, I will post a close shot or two of the seats just to tease you!

The new bathroom additions are being completed, and the ladies will happy to know that there are six new stalls in the Princess, besides the original ones.  The men too will have new extra facilities to enjoy, and there will be drinking fountains conveniently located throughout the lobby area.

The elevator lift and loading platform are in place, awaiting the actual elevator compartment.  This will make seats in the balcony more convenient to everyone, including the handicapped.

Almost unnoticed under foot in the lobby is the work being done to restore the original terrazzo flooring to its original shine.  The breaks in the beautiful old flooring are being properly filled, ground, sanded, and buffed to bring it back to life, and give it at least another 70 years of life!  I can hardly wait to see this floor returned to even better luster than I remember from my time in the sixties.  

Put it all together and you have a reborn venue; perhaps a transformation from a mere theater to a grand theatre.  She will be ready again to receive the title she was once given by newspapers and newsreels as a "temple to the arts"!

SUPPORT FOR AND HARD WORK ON THE PRINCESS CONTINUES

If you've walked by Channel 15 on Roane Street lately, you've probably noticed the large check in the window.  A $2500 donation was recently received from Knox Heritage.  This money is officially designated as a "Save Our Signs Grant" and was given toward the construction of a new Princess Theatre marquee that will give a modern touch to the original marquee design.  Placement of the updated marquee is expected very soon!

Rest assured folks, there are lots of people on our side.  Like us, they want to see the Princess born again with a new purpose in life - not just to entertain us once again, but to educate and motivate our children!

You would also hear sounds of progress as you pass on up the street and pass the Princess.  There is a lot of work going on inside the old Margrave Drug and Tappan buildings.

Inside the "Margrave" building the elevator supports have been installed and are awaiting the installation of the elevator that will allow all patrons, regardless of their mobility, access to the balcony.  Two wheelchair ramps, on either side of the balcony, will give these audience members a grand view of the stage.

On the "Margrave" side of the wall between the "Tappan" building is a distinctive outline on the brick between steel supports.  

On the opposite side of the wall I found two workers laboring in their attempt to cut through the wall.  

This is where the new concession area will serve the expanded lobby.  Customers will place their orders on the "Margrave" side, while Princess workers will serve them from the "Tappan" side.  

To get a better perspective of the planned arrangement look at the new floor plan drawing again by CLICKING HERE.

They told me it was hard work, and were having some issues with the cut through the old fireproof wall, but they weren't giving up!

In the auditorium, the scaffolding is still up, but you can see and hear work going on up there too.  It shouldn't be long before all the framework comes down and the serious finishing detail work will begin.

The dust from the construction is being swept and washed away back in the prop and dressing room areas, and it won't be long before the lights, vanities, and chairs are placed.

And, as you know, when you drive by you can see that things change daily.  The glass and doors are in the store fronts that were just roughed in supports just a week ago.

Things are progressing, not as fast as we would like, but we do want it done right.  We will soon be proud of our Princess once again!