The City Auditorium was built in 1936-1937 as a WPA project and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Auditorium, Art Deco in style, is a three-story steel and concrete building with a brick and limestone exterior.
The Superior Historic Redevelopment Committee wishes to preserve this landmark in Superior's downtown and restore it to a useful community purpose. This facility will once again become a functioning center for the performing arts, multi-purpose events, and community meetings. The auditorium was slated for the wrecking ball until the auditorium restoration committee purchased the building from the city of Superior for just one dollar in 2011.
Using private donations the auditorium will encompass substantial renovations including new mechanical and electrical systems, sound system, stage restoration, and energy efficiency update. The project will be done in three phases. Phase one is updating the south portion of the main floor with houses the kitchen as well as the major portion of the electrical and mechanical parts of the update. Also include in phase one will be the removal of asbestos from the building. Phase two is the main auditorium consisting of the stage, lighting and sound aspects of the renovation. Phase three will focus on the upstairs portion of the building including the meeting rooms.
No specific date is set for the completion of the project but will be completed as funding becomes available.
Progress report:
2011: Organization of the Superior Historic Redevelopment Committee to oversee the project.
2012: Removal of the asbestos completed. Roof repairs and installation of guttering. Removal of dilapidated building next door to make way for a parking lot. Updates to the kitchen and electrical system. General cleaning of the inside and outside of the building