Lawn outside The Lindsay Theater & Cultural Center in Sewickley to be turned into a park

The lawn outside the main entrance to The Lindsay Theater & Cultural Center in Sewickley will be made into a little park as part of a borough project.

The historic entertainment venue sits at 418 Walnut St. It underwent a major face-lift last year.

The borough owns the land and the lawn but not the theater, itself. That is owned by an independent, film-driven arts nonprofit.

Council voted 7-0 on May 14 to award a $93,424 plaza improvements project to Pittsburgh-based Vermont Stone & Horticulture.

Council Vice President Julie Barnes and Councilman Todd Hamer were absent.

Borough Engineer Mike Galet said Vermont was the lowest of five bidders “to develop a park that offers a space for public gathering central to the business district.”

Work includes installation of “hardscapes” and furnishings such as a fine gravel area with seating and tables, aesthetic lighting and modifications to the sidewalk and landscaping.

“The current lawn area does not provide any of these features,” Galet said. He said construction will take place from summer into late fall.

The project is being paid for through park funds.

“Our experience during the pandemic really highlighted how important social interaction is for our health and well-being,” council President Cynthia Mullins said. “The theater lawn is ideal for a centrally located gathering place for residents and visitors. This small project should have a big positive impact for the theater, the community and the business district.”

Mayor George Shannon said he looks forward to seeing the new landscaping.

“We’re doing it very low-budget,” he said. “There’s going to be benches. There’s going to be a few trees. There’s going to be a little walkway, a little shade, some hedges and a sprinkling system. We’ll maintain it because we own the property. We need it. The appearance will be much better. We need a park in downtown Sewickley.”

The venue was known as The Tull Family Theater from its opening in February 2017 to the start of last year, when its new name was christened as part of a 10-year sponsorship by The Corry Family Foundation.

The Corry family’s multi-year gift is a tribute to their late, much-adored daughter and sister, Lindsay Nicole Corry.

Shannon commended theater staff and Chief Executive Officer Carolina Pais-Barreto Thor for continuing its history as a community gem.

“Things add up,” the mayor said. “We have a hospital. We have a YMCA that’s great. We have a theater that’s great. You start adding all these things up, and it’s the reason why people want to live in Sewickley.

“Carolina Thor is fabulous. The theater is privately owned. They pay for it themselves. They raise the money and they don’t have a big budget. It’s a great contribution to the community, and we get along great with them.”

Thor thanked council for its support of the theater and commitment to community togetherness.

“We look forward with much anticipation toward the enhancement of the green area in front of the theater,” Thor said. “The park will provide another gathering space to serve the community and certainly will improve the curb appeal of our nonprofit theater and cultural center. We are very grateful to the borough and to all who championed the initiative.”

More information about theater and its programs is available at thelindsaytheater.org.