Tom Fencl, owner of the Davis, considers himself the custodian of the 100-year-old theater. View Full Caption DNAinfo/Patty Wetli

LINCOLN SQUARE — The renovation of the Davis Theater, announced in June, is set to get under way by December.

Owner Tom Fencl confirmed that the city issued a construction permit on Wednesday.

The scope of the project, as stated in the permit, is for the "interior renovation of existing movie theater with expansion into restaurant and one-story addition for restaurant with new stair to basement." The cost was pegged at $1.5 million.

Tentative plans call for a 3,000-square-foot eatery serving lunch and dinner, with a full bar.

Work could begin within 30 days, Fencl said.

Along with the restaurant/bar expansion, his plan includes an upgrade of the theater's restrooms and sound system as well as the conversion of two of the Davis' four theaters to stadium seating.

The building's pair of rear theaters will be combined into a single auditorium — the screen will double in size — and the decor will hearken back to the early 1900s. Ultimately the new Davis will have three screens instead of four.

Construction will take at least six months, during which time the Davis, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave., will be closed.

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