The City of High Springs is taking another look at saving the historic Priest Theatre.
The state budget includes $1,040,450 to purchase and renovate the building, but it requires the city to match the appropriation with $250,000.
The city commission voted to get an appraisal of the building and an updated structural assessment first, before deciding whether to accept the state funding.
Commissioner Byran Williams said the Priest Theatre is worth saving, because it will be a good investment.
"That stage can bring money - big money into this city - and not just the movies. I can see graduations and so many things," he said. "I am so positive this is going to work."
Commissioner Katherine Weitz agreed. She said there was always an audience for the movies that were showing there.
"It's not like there's not the desire, there's not the people here who will go to the movies and go across the street and have a brew, get a pizza," she said. "It could be amazing for downtown."
The Priest Theatre was built in 1910. It closed at the beginning of the COVID pandemic and has not re-opened.