How Much Will It Take to Finish Renovating Loveland’s Pulliam Building?

It has been a huge undertaking, renovating the Pulliam Building in Downtown Loveland, to restore it to being a beloved and useful part of the town. The project's final phase, won't begin until just a "little more" money is raised.

In the end, the amount of money that remains to be raised is but a "drop in the bucket" in comparison of what the over cost of the project is. Will one more donor step to get the funding over the "finish line," or will it be many smaller donations coming together?

The Pulliam Building (originally the Loveland Community Building) in Downtown Loveland opened in 1938 for $250,000 as part of the Works Project Administration program, coming out of the Great Depression. Not only did the project put men to work, it brought to the area a place for the community to gather. The Pulliam Community Building saw hundreds of events and thousands of visitors before shutting down.

WHY IS IT NAMED THE 'PULLIAM' BUILDING?

D.T. and Lillian Puliiam donated their land as well as $20,000 (over $400,000 in today's dollars) to Loveland, so that the Loveland Community Building project could happen. Heirs of the Pulliams currently sit on the trust board for the building.

Restoration of the Pulliam Building has been a project since 2009, with two of the three phases complete.

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COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION SO FAR INCLUDES:

• New front steps.
• New gas, water and sewer lines.
• upgrading the electrical.
• Installing fire sprinkler system.
• Installing an elevator and handicap ramp.
• Installing new handicap-accessible restrooms.

One of the most-unique features of the Pulliam Building is its Lamella truss ceiling, below.

CONSTRUCTION/ITEMS STILL NEEDED (PHASE THREE) INCLUDE:

• New HVAC system.
• Catering Kitchen.
• Repair/Refinish hardwood floor.
• Family restroom.
• Furniture, fixtures, misc. equipment.

The overall cost of renovating the Pulliam has grown to $11.1 million, after inflation, the pandemic, and unexpected issues (very, very thick concrete, for example) being added to cost.

RELATED: NEW ICE CREAM SHOP COMING TO DOWNTOWN LOVELAND

The Pulliam Building has a wonderful stage that has sat quiet for too long.

WHAT WILL LOVELAND USE THE BUILDING FOR WHEN COMPLETED?

• Large-scale meetings.
• Dances, recitals.
• Conventions.
• Graduations.
• Luncheons.
• Quinceañeras
• Film festivals,

HOW MUCH MORE WILL IT TAKE TO BEGIN PHASE THREE?

According to the man who has been spearheading this project for 14 years, Norm Rehme (below,) to get construction started again  and opening the doors 18 months after that, the project is need of only $50,000. $50,000 is not a lot of money, when you consider the overall cost of over $11 million.

Not only does Downtown need this space to come back, the entire city does. It's a part of Loveland's history, and will be great space for many gathering opportunities. Someone, or a group of people, are sure to donate to the foundation (which is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit,) and get things going again.