Palm Springs Plaza Theatre faces $3 million shortfall

The cost of remodeling the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs is expected to be nearly $3 million higher than expected.

“We had some additional costs come up. So for one thing, we're opening up a 90 year old building and the building over the years has had minor remodels, and we thought that would be enough,” said J.R. Roberts, President of the Plaza Theatre Foundation.

The project had initially cost $34 million, but city officials said the increased cost stems from additional design work and building code requirements. Around $1.3 million of the additional cost will go to an update to the IT system, improvements to the entrances and exits, and a fire suppression system.

 Palm Springs will contribute approximately $2.1 million from an existing maintenance fund, and the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation are expected to contribute $750,000 to the increased payment - along with private donations.

"The restoration is going and it's on track, the foundation has already raised $19 million to our goal of $24 million," said Roberts.

The theatre is still expected to open its doors on December 1.