Old well will heat, cool Colony
Engineering report details potential savings at remodeled theaterBy Kate York, kyork@mariettatimes.com
Fact Box
Overall progress
Construction on downtown Marietta's Colony Theatre is still expected to begin in just a few months, with historic tax credits expected to provide the last of the funding needed.
Less than half a million dollars is still needed for the $6 million renovation project, which has the aim of fully renovating and reopening the theater and keeping the look similar to its early days. The theater opened at its 222 1/2 Putnam St. location in 1919 and closed in 1985.
More than $1 million has already been spent on roof replacement, new restrooms, asbestos removal, creation of a stage fire curtain and a rebuilt front stairway.
A geothermal heating and cooling system at the Colony Theatre could reduce energy costs at the historic site by 75 percent as it reopens, using the same well and basic principles that cooled the theater in 1919.
An engineering report released to the Hippodrome/Colony Historic Theatre Association this week gave estimates on how much using an old well on the property as a heating and cooling source could increase energy efficiency.
The 75 percent estimate could mean savings of up to $30,000 a year, said Hunt Brawley, director of the association.
"It's really amazing to think that the system that worked for 80 years here could essentially work for another 80 years for us," Brawley said. "It's coming full circle from the old to the new and really shows you what a marvel this building was in 1919."
The system in 1919 was touted as creating the first air conditioned building in Marietta.
"We've heard stories that people could stand all the way out in the street and feel the cold air blowing from the lobby," said Brawley.
The 70-foot well has gone through two of three tests needed to determine if the geothermal system will be feasible, with the third coming soon.
During the first trial, workers got the original pump working, after 25 years of inactivity.
"Even with the original motor and the old well we were able to get it to pump 95 gallons per minute out of there," Brawley said. "We're estimating that we would never need more than 300 gallons of water per minute."
A second inspection sent a video scope into the well to make sure there was no major damage or structural issues.
The well was in good shape, Brawley said, and the video scope revealed that the well's screen was caked with corrosion and mud.
That's actually good news, he said.
"That we were able to get 95 gallons a minute with all that is remarkable," Brawley said. "Odds are that once we clean the screen we'll get a much greater return."
The next step is that cleaning as well as a test of the motor's capability, he said.
"This is one more important step in getting the theatre up and running," Brawley said.
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armybrat
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11-25-09 9:45 AM
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That is remarkable, a nice way to save on the cost of heating and cooling the building. Does anyone know of any private homes in Marietta using this type of energy.
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