Breaking Ground This Year

In 2023, WHALE will begin construction on THREE new projects. This is incredibly exciting for us since we've been working on these projects for years.

It may seem like the beginning, but it's actually closer to the end.

Ground breaking marks the start of the final phase for the Hillman Firehouse, the Strand Theater/Island Park and the Capitol Theater restoration projects.

Hillman Firehouse

Contractors are submitting proposals and final selection is imminent. Work will begin on this $3.7M affordable houisng restoration project this summer.

Learn About the Project

Strand Theater

Island Park

Requests For Proposals (RFPs) have gone out. Island Park is the first order of business creating a verdant community park in the abandoned lot next to the planned Cape Verdean Cultural Center. A Partnership with the Cape Verdean Association

Learn About the Project

Capitol Theater

At 20,000 sq. ft. this is one of the biggest restoration projects in WHALE's history. The first phase of this $8.7M community development project begins this year with asbestos removal and a new roof to keep the elements out. A Partnership with the CEDC

Learn About the Project

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

This adage is especially true for historic preservation. Over the last several years, WHALE has been carefully evaluating the viability of these three projects.

• Architectural and financial feasibility studies
• Assembage of financing from state and city grants as well as private foundation grants
• Securing historic tax credits
• Permitting from the City Planning Department and Zoning Commission
• Preparation and review of detailed Construction Requests for Proposals

We're so grateful to WHALE's members and donors for providing the operating capitol needed to identify, evaluate and get each restoration project off the ground!

These projects are truly public/private partnerships, and we couldn't do any of it without the generousity of grantors and friends.