BRATTLEBORO — Six weeks since Tropical Storm Irene shut down down the Latchis, the end of the disruption is in sight for the downtown landmark.
On Monday, Gail Nunziata, executive director of the Brattleboro Arts Initiative (BAI), the nonprofit that owns the historic theater and hotel, announced that the Latchis will reopen for business on Friday, Oct. 14.
On Aug. 28, when the Whetstone Brook turned into a raging torrent of water that flooded Flat Street, the historic theater and hotel complex bore the brunt of the storm's floodwaters.
The basement, where the complex's electrical and heating systems are located, took in hundreds of gallons of water, as well as mud and debris.
Even though the upper stories of the hotel were unharmed, there was no heat or electricity for guests. The basement electrical control panels were destroyed, and the boilers for the heating system were swamped. The lower level of the Flat Street Pub was completely ruined.
“I still get a stomachache thinking about it,” she said. “I don't want to jinx anything, but it looks like everything will be ready for a big weekend.”
That weekend includes the Brattleboro Literary Festival, the first “Met Live in HD” broadcast of the 2011-12 season, and a jazz concert by the Kenny Barton Trio.
Nunziata said a lot of work has gone into getting the complex up and running again. She credited the work of local contractors in the quick recovery, particularly A.L. Tyler & Sons, which rebuilt the electrical system, and Fleming Oil, which rebuilt the boilers.
“They have been fantastic,” she said. “We have some great contractors in this town.”
There was a bit of water damage in the main theater that was quickly repaired, but Nunziata said it was nothing compared to what happened below street level.
“There was so much water, so much mud, so much debris,” she said. “It all needed to get cleaned up before we could do anything.”
Nunziata said the lights in the theater were on for the first time since the flood on Monday, and only a few loose ends need to be tied up.
Barring any last-minute delays, on Oct. 14 there will a talk for local students by author David Macaulay at 1 p.m., as part of the Literary Festival. A full movie schedule will resume that evening. The hotel, where many of the Lit Fest authors stay, will also be open.
Saturday, Nuniziata said, will be the big re-opening day.
Lit Fest authors Tom Bodett and Roy Blount Jr. will appear on the main stage at 10 a.m., while the Metropolitan Opera's live broadcast of Donizetti's Anna Bolena will be presented in Latchis 4 at 1 p.m.
Lit Fest authors Kathleen Winter and Alexi Zentner will hold court in Latchis 4 at 4:30 p.m., and the Kenny Barron Trio will play in the main theater at 8 p.m.
The Latchis was covered by a federal flood insurance policy, but Nunziata said it will take some time before BAI receives a settlement.
Until then, BAI took out a $100,000 low-interest business loan from the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to cover some of the expenses.
The final damage figures are still being compiled, but Nunziata said the damage to the electrical and heating system cost at least $250,000 to repair. It cost another $250,000 to do the clean-up. And she figures the Latchis lost anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000 in business since the storm.
“We thought the truck hitting the marquee [this summer] was a big deal, until this,” she said.