After winter weather left the Georgetown Palace Theatre battered and closed, the historic downtown venue is inching back toward showtime. The nonprofit has secured a major lifeline from the W.D. Kelley Foundation: a $100,000 gift plus a dollar-for-dollar match on community donations up to another $100,000. Organizers say the full restoration tab will top $500,000, but with nearly $200,000 already raised and construction crews on site, the Palace is aiming to reopen parts of the building for rentals by the end of April.
W.D. Kelley gift speeds rebuild
According to a press release via KXAN, the W.D. Kelley Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Palace and committed to match community contributions up to an additional $100,000. The release notes that total restoration costs will exceed $500,000 and confirms that nearly $200,000 has already been raised toward that goal, giving the theatre a solid push toward reopening.
Repairs, contractor and timeline
Local builder 1836 Legacy Construction has been hired to handle structural and interior repairs, and crews have started stabilizing damaged sections of the building. The Palace’s season calendar on the Georgetown Palace Theatre website still lists Jesus Christ Superstar on the Springer Stage beginning May 29, a sign the nonprofit is pushing to have the mainstage ready for audiences. Staff say they are fielding box office and rental inquiries while construction continues behind the scenes.
Community support and next steps
The W.D. Kelley Foundation, which has a long track record of local philanthropy, is adding this latest commitment to a growing list of aid for the Palace. That includes a $10,000 grant announced by U.S. Rep. John Carter, as reported by KXXV. Along with Palace leadership, the foundation is directing supporters to the theatre’s online giving portal, and both groups say the pace of donations will help determine how quickly the remaining work can be finished. Supporters can contribute via the Palace’s donation page here.
If the current timeline holds, Georgetown could see its mainstage back in action for summer programming, restoring a familiar anchor in the downtown Cultural District and reopening a crucial performance pipeline for local artists and visiting acts. Palace staff plan to post ongoing repair updates on the theatre’s website and social media channels as fundraising and construction move through the spring.
