The Zephyr Theatre awarded accessibility grant

The Zephyr Theatre was granted $14,800 in June to improve accessibility to its site at 601 Main St. N. in Stillwater. The Zephyr is among seven arts organizations in the Twin Cities metro selected this year for grants funded by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“We want to express how thrilled we are to have been selected to receive the ADA Access Improvement Grant from VSA Minnesota,” said Zephyr Vice Chair Franz Hall. “This will make a huge difference in the safety and convenience of our ADA patrons.”
“This grant will remedy a number of serious safety issues at The Zephyr Theatre,” according to an announcement by VSA Minnesota, the grants administrator. The grant will pay for automatic door openers and repair to the theatre's heavy front doors, repair of the walkway pavement and curb on the north and south ends of the building, and the addition of a hand rail at the south entrance.
The Zephyr was notified of the grant award by Jon Skaalen of Stillwater, access programs coordinator for VSA (originally Very Special Arts) Minnesota. VSA Minnesota is closing its doors this year after 33 years of administering arts accessibility programs, due to decreased financial support. Some of its programs will be assumed by other nonprofits.