Historic opera house falling apart

Thursday, June 11, 1998 | 2:19 a.m.

It was the first step in a plan aimed at restoring the 113-year-old structure and clearing the way for it to reopen as a museum and cultural center.

Then came the snowy winter and soggy spring.

As a result, the project has been delayed and weather has damaged the interior of the historic landmark.

This week, officials for Piper's Opera House Programs - the nonprofit organization established to guide the $2 million restoration - said they're hoping the roof project can be completed in July. If so, there's a chance some events can be held in the building by the fall.

"We've had nothing but rain up here for months, and that's been very unfortunate for this project," said Don Bush, chairman of the group. "The work has dragged on a lot longer than we anticipated. But no one could have expected the kind of winter and spring we've experienced."

Bush conceded some interior water damage occurred because the roof wasn't constantly covered with protective material while work crews were in the process of making repairs.

"From a logistical standpoint, the roof couldn't always be covered," Bush said. "No one is really to blame. It was unavoidable with this miserable weather."

The maple auditorium floor, installed in 1898, has buckled in several places.

Andria Daley-Taylor, in charge of seeking a grant for the restoration, said preservation specialists believe the floor planks will unbuckle when the new roof is in place and the building is heated.

The stage floor suffered extensive damage, but Bush said it is of Masonite material dating from the 1970s and was scheduled to be replaced.

Unrelated to the water damage has been the recent discovery of problems with columns holding up the roof, Bush said. The rotting timbers were brought up from the mines during the rebuilding of Piper's in the 1880s.

Over the years, the opulent building has hosted such performers as Lily Langtry, Lotta Crabtree, John Barrymore and John Philip Sousa. Boxing exhibitions were offered by John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett.

The structure was rebuilt after fires in 1875 and 1883 and fixed up several times before the latest renovation.

After the roof is completed, Bush said the next step is to install a fire sprinkler sprinker system. When that is done, events can be planned.

"I'd say there's a 50-50 chance we can have some events this fall," Bush said.

After the roof and sprinkler systems are completed, Bush said the nonprofit group will focus on electrical and plumbing, then heating and air conditioning. He said the main stairs in the brick front of the structure need to be repaired.

The balcony, originally put on hold, also has become a new focus of attention, Bush said. The auditorium can seat about 600 with the balcony and 350 without it.

"As a result of what has happened this year, we all have a better understanding that historic preservation is a very slow process," Bush said. "We'll probably be working on Piper's 20 years from now."