Improvements At Davis: GLT Project Made Possible By Grant Funds

Greenwood Little Theatre is almost finished with the first phase of a project that improves accessibility and will create a park-like area out front at Davis Auditorium.

The project was made possible through a Smart Growth placemaking grant from the National Association of Realtors. 

“A placemaking grant is for the community,” said Pam Powers, past president of the Greenwood Little Theatre Board of Directors and 2024 chair of the NAR Smart Growth grant board. “A local Board of Realtors has to apply for it.”

The Greenwood Board of Realtors applied for the grant, and it was approved because of the plans to “improve the accessibility of the auditorium, make it handicap friendly, make it family-friendly.” 

Placemaking grants fund projects that create new outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community on unused or underused sites. The project was awarded a $5,000 matching grant, and Greenwood Little Theatre was able to provide the match through its $10,000 in annual appropriation funds from the city of Greenwood.

“This huge space was not being used,” Powers said about the large front lawn of the auditorium located at Davis Elementary School. After the project is completed, “it will be something that will be inviting to the community,” she added. 

For the first phase of the project, the entire front wall of the building was pressure washed, a rail was added to the steps at the front entrance and damaged pieces of the sidewalks were replaced.

“We wanted to make these sidewalks safe, so you would not trip when you walk,” said Powers.

The city is also going to replace the sidewalks that it owns in front of the building and down the side along Cotton Street. Mayor Carolyn McAdams said the update will include handicap accessibility.

“It was just a good investment for the city,” McAdams said about the funds the city provides the Little Theatre. Davis Auditorium “is downtown, and it’s very easy for people to walk to. Plus, you are showing historic preservation. I went to junior high here. I drove my bicycle here every day.”

At the side entrance to Davis Auditorium, the handicap parking space has been expanded and is now big enough for two vehicles. (By Ruthie Robison)

At the side entrance to the auditorium, the handicap parking space has been expanded and is now big enough for two vehicles. In the second phase of the project, a covering will be added.

In front of the building, a concrete circle at the center of the lawn has been created, and it will soon be a focal point of the area. It’s located where the flagpole used to stand. The flagpole has been moved to near the front entrance. 

“The centerpiece here will have benches around it,” said Powers. “We found a conduit for electricity, so the electricity has already been run.” 

The drama masks that were at the former Little Theatre location will be mounted in the center, and on show nights, they will light up — “so people will see that and know it’ll be a production night for Greenwood Little Theatre,” said Powers.

The first phase will be completed soon, after the front lawn is graded through an in-kind donation by RC Construction.

Leading the design through in-kind architecture work is John Gewalt. He and his wife, Jeanne, are Greenwood Little Theatre volunteers.

“The next step will be landscaping and maintenance, freshening the lawn, doing what’s necessary to reseed it and trimming it,” said Gewalt. “We want the theater evening to be an experience not just when you take your seat and see the performance but before — you know something is going on. We hope to gather the community by showing something happening, night lighting, signage, a higher level of visual attractiveness.”

The rail for the front entrance was donated by Robinson Fabrication, the concrete was installed by Charles Thomas, and Leflore Steel has donated to the project.

The Greenwood Board of Realtors also donated to the project.

“You know what is so important to me about this project is showing the students that the community cares and has pride in their facility,” said Powers. “We want the students to know we care about them, and this is a way we can show that.”