County Commission approves $2M in funding for Tivoli restoration

The Hamilton County Commission just approved 2 million dollars of public funding to go towards the upcoming Tivoli restoration. This project will close the landmarks doors for at least two years

“When you’re dealing with historic buildings like this, the costs are really unique. They’re landmark treasures,” said Wilkinson. “It’s a pretty interesting set of circumstances you have to deal with, but thankfully we have been able to source the vast majority of funds needed to really keep us on track, and obviously the infusion of some of the public funds from the county and the city have helped us do that as well.”

Wilkinson said the restoration of the theater known as the “Jewel of the South” is not just meant to be an economic but a means to keep the feeling of community alive.

“There’s not as many places in the community anymore where people can come together from all walks of life and sit down and enjoy the arts together and we need that as a community. So, we’re so excited about bringing that,” Wilkinson said.

The restored Tivoli is expected to open back up in 2024 with an impressive list of new amenities. Including an education program that will cater to low income families. The program will be housed in the new Tivoli Performing Arts Center and will work with Hamilton County schools to promote art education.

“We’re also going to have a new venue called the Bobby stone theater, we’ re gonna have ground floor retail, we’ll have an education program and we’ll even have a roof top bar folks can hopefully enjoy before or after a concert or event,” said Wilkinson.

The Tivoli Foundation will continue with shows, but the performances will be redirected to their other two venues, Walker and Memorial Auditorium. If you want to catch once last show before the theater temporarily closes, the Tivoli will be showing movies through the end of July.