Liens filed against State Theatre

SANDUSKY — Three contractors filed liens against the Sandusky State Theatre totaling more than $3.2 million. GC3 Builders, the main contractor on the theater's restoration project, filed a lien on Oct. 2, stating it is owed more than $2.7 million for furnishing certain "equipment, materials, labor and services in and for constructing, altering and improving certain buildings (and) structures," on land described as the Sandusky State Theatre. The lien claims materials and services were delivered in the last few years, most recently Aug. 26. A mechanic's lien is a legal document that is attached to a property through the county recorder's office. It encumbers the property. If the property is sold, anyone with a valid lien would be paid before any monies were dispersed to the owner/seller. If a lien holder so chooses, that entity could petition a court to force the property into a sale to satisfy the debt, according to Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth. Two other companies also filed liens against the theater. Valley Interior Systems of Cincinnati filed a lien on Tuesday for more than $350,000. This lien reports the first labor or work was performed in October 2023 and the last work or labor occurred on Aug. 27. Wolff Bros. Supply, of Medina, filed a lien against the theater on Oct. 23 for more than $180,000. This lien is filed in conjunction with Amped Electrical Solutions, which does business as Fresch Electric. This third lien claims materials were furnished beginning on Jan. 31, 2023, and the final work or labor was performed on Sept. 16. Progress on the multiyear project ground to a halt in approximately late August. In addition to the Sandusky State Theater at 107 Columbus Ave., West House Theater, at 109 Columbus Ave., is also named on two of the liens. An email sent to John Swansinger, the theater's Cleveland-based attorney, was not returned as of late Wednesday. The Register first reported a work stoppage at the job site in September — and, since then, theater officials have provided no explanations. Sources told the Register that cost overruns and cash shortfalls were the problem. The state theater was nearly destroyed during a straight-line windstorm on June 10, 2020. The roof suffered a partial collapse and debris rained down on the stage, heavily damaging it. Theater representatives in April said the total anticipated cost to rebuild the theater would be about $30 million and it was expected to open last year. Here's a quick breakdown provided by theater officials previously of money secured so far to build up this historic brick building: • A little more than half, or roughly $16.8 million, should be covered through an insurance payment. • The theater locked down about $3.35 million in fundraising dollars. • The venue obtained about $3.3 million in federal tax credits, an account helping to preserve historic structures. • It also secured about $2 million in state tax credits • Sandusky's government also pledged $1 million for the project, with half of that already provided and the balance due when the project is finished.