Johnson City, NY – In the heart of Johnson City’s planned Health & Cultural Innovation District Wednesday, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Goodwill Theater, Inc. CEO Naima Kradjian announced details of a $250,000 grant to stabilize and rehabilitate the historic Schorr Family Firehouse Stage. The latest work at the former municipal building and fire station builds into efforts to transform Johnson City into a Health and Cultural iDistrict, a plan identified in the Southern Tier’s winning Upstate Revitalization Initiative proposal.

“Goodwill Theater, Inc. continues providing leadership in bringing art and culture back to Johnson City,” said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. “They first raised the idea of creating a Health and Cultural District that is now a central component of the Johnson City Innovation District. I’m happy to assist their efforts to creating a vibrant arts scene in the area through performances and programming.”

The grant secured by Lupardo is funding a number of renovations that will stabilize the 118-year-old building including basement repair, replacement windows, exterior brick repair and foundation repair. The former municipal building has undergone a number of renovations since Goodwill Theater, Inc. took ownership of the property in 2001. The latest work will allow for additional expansion to the upper floors and an increased collaboration with nearby health services.

“It has always been the goal of Goodwill Theater to develop a relationship with the nearby hospital and healthcare providers to spur economic growth,” said Kradjian. “We’ve been working with the Southern Tier Economic Development Council since its inception to create a cooperative plan that will attract additional investments, businesses, and visitors. The support Assemblywoman Lupardo has provided is helping make this a reality.”

Goodwill Theater plans to add additional performance space to the third floor of the Firehouse Stage. This area will house two large rehearsal halls, one of which will have state-of-the-art black box performance equipment and can be used for private events, seminars, and meetings. As a result of Binghamton University’s growing presence in the village, Goodwill Theater will also serve as a conference center and evacuation resource for the Health Sciences Campus.