Mecklenburg County commissioners unanimously decided to give $4.2 million toward the renovation of the Carolina Theatre in uptown Charlotte.
The theater opened in 1927 and has largely sat vacant for the past 35 years. The Foundation for the Carolinas is renovating it with plans to turn it intoa civics arts facility.
The group asked the county for an extra $500,000 Tuesday night to recreate the marquee signs outside and the original murals inside.
“There is not just a desire, but a real need to save this theater for no other reason than it’s one of the oldest buildings in Center City,” said Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour.
The city donated the theater and the land it sits on. The foundation is raising the rest of the $35 million needed to renovate it through private contributions.
