AKRON, Ohio -- A distinct division running across the ceiling and down the walls of the Akron Civic Theatre's Grand Lobby will not be there much longer.

The dividing line - beyond the Grand Staircase as you enter the auditorium - is intentional. It highlights the stark contrast in vibrancy between two sections of the lobby. Where the vibrant colors end is where a major renovation in 2001-2002 ended.

Since then, the 89 year-old-theatre's Grand Lobby has awaited its turn.

Now, theater officials are working to raise the $1.6 million needed to renovate the lobby and its entry arcade. The money will come from multiple sources, including proceeds from the annual gala, "Spirits of the Civic Gala 2018, Live from Akron, It's Saturday Night." Tickets are still available for the SNL-themed event, starting at 6:30-11 p.m. Saturday April 7.

Some funding is also planned to come from the $675,000 earmarked for the Civic in the state's proposed capital budget.

The renovation is expected to begin in summer 2019. It will encompass repainting walls and fixtures, updating wiring, reinforcing structures and restoring the brass doors at the main entrance off South Main Street.

"It will be certainly a huge sense of accomplishment for everybody on the team at the Civic and at the city if we're able to finish a project started 16 years ago," said the theatre's Executive Director Howard Parr.

A $1.6 million renovation is expected to begin in summer 2019, which will restore walls and fixtures, replace wiring and restore the brass doors at the main entrance on North Main Street.

Known as "The Jewel on Main Street," the Civic is a top attraction drawing people to Akron from around the region, and bringing locals into downtown.

It's at the epicenter of the Downtown Akron Promenade, a 1.4-mile green corridor being built on Main Street from Perkins St./Route 59 to Bartges Street. Designed to connect people to centers of education, employment, entrepreneurship, entertainment and recreation, the promenade is the recipient of $13 million in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

"With the ongoing work in bringing back downtown Akron as a whole, there's been a huge amount of work going into downtown outside the Civic," Parr said. "There's a heck of a lot more planned over the next several years and we want to be part of that work."

When the theatre's $20 million renovation took place 16 years ago, the Civic was a major economic driver for the city. The work was the largest renovation in the theater's history primarily funded through a capital campaign, supported by numerous local individuals, foundations and businesses.

"We would love to see people be able to come in and actually see the colors the way it was in 1929," said Val Renner, the Civic's Media/Special Programming Director. "It's so important that the next generation gets to enjoy this beauty. It's such a gem in Akron and getting closer to seeing it restored to the way it was is very exciting."

Spirits of the Civic Gala 2018 /Live auction

Attendees of the Civic Theatre's immersive gala will be entertained throughout the evening by "Saturday Night Live's" most notorious characters.

Guests will enter the gala at Bowery Street, where a busker and paparazzi will greet them in the parking lot. From the "Lounge Singer" in the lobby to a photo booth at the "Weekend Update" news desk and interviews by the NPR hosts of "Delicious Dish," SNL will dominate the night.

Tickets are $100 and available at the Civic Theatre box office, online or by calling 330-253-2488.

The Civic's annual online auction, which runs concurrently with the gala, is live now and will run through 9 p.m. Saturday, April 7.

In addition to numerous themed gift baskets, such as the YMCA, NORKA, Krieger's and the University of Akron, several guitars are available signed by the likes of the Beach Boys, Three Dog Night, Rick Springfield and Rodriguez.

Also up for bid are these Akron-centric experiences:

A slumber party in the Civic Theatre for 20

A Hoppin' Frog brewing experience with a beer release party

Tickets to the Akron Symphony

Roadie for a day at Jilly's Music Room for Akron's Bizarros

A pizza a month from Luigi's

A private event at the Akron Marriott Theatre

New items are being added daily, so check the auction listing here. The Akron Civic Theatre is located at 182 S. Main St. in downtown Akron.

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