Brian Hall, co-owner of the Island theater on Circuit Ave. in Oak Bluffs, told The Times on Wednesday that engineering work has resumed on the building and that he hopes to have construction permits in hand by the end of next week. Mr. Hall said that engineer Reid Silva of Martha’s Vineyard Land Surveying & Engineering is working on a solution to shore up the compromised wall system. Mr. Silva already designed the fix for a decayed truss in the theater’s roof.
“We want to move forward and repair the outside so the shell is tight and safe,” Mr. Hall said, adding, “We’re doing whatever the building inspector requests.” Mr. Hall said he intends to put on a new roof, shore up the walls, and paint and repoint the exterior to make it “prettier than it’s ever looked.”
Mr. Hall intends to lease the renovated theater. The ultimate use of the building will be up to the tenant. “It may or may not be gutted, it depends on what tenant wants to do with it,” he said. Mr. Hall indicated there is already interest from potential lessors. “We’ve had discussions with three or four different parties. But it’s all talk at this point.”
