Steamboat Council Approves Chief Theater Rehabilitation

Do you remember the smell of stale popcorn and old velvet curtains, or is that just a ghost in your head? For Trace Adams, the scent of the Chief Theater on Lincoln Avenue is tied to childhood memories of sitting in the dark, watching movies while the rest of Steamboat Springs slept. Now, those memories are the fuel for a project that has finally cleared its final hurdle. The Steamboat Springs City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday evening to approve the rehabilitation of the historic Chief Theater, a decision that transforms a derelict shell into a vision of what a modern Western Slope cultural hub could look like.

The project, spearheaded by Adams, seeks to turn the long-vacant building into a multi-use venue featuring a restaurant, a rooftop deck, and an 800-person capacity. It’s not just a renovation; it’s a resurrection. But before you can imagine sipping wine on that rooftop deck, you need to understand the weight of the history beneath your feet. Adams spoke of his family’s deep roots in the valley, tracing a lineage that includes his grandfather, Bob Adams, and father, John Adams. They didn’t just live here; they built the coal mine that powered the region’s economy, helped improve the Howelsen Hill ski jumps, and constructed the Bob Adams Airport. They donated Fish Creek Falls. Now, Trace wants to continue that legacy by breathing life back into the theater that once stood as a beacon for the community.

The council’s approval came with a specific condition: a formalized parking management plan must be presented and approved before a temporary certificate of occupancy is issued. It’s a practical safeguard for a town that knows how to handle growth, ensuring that the influx of patrons for music and theater doesn’t gridlock Lincoln Avenue. The estimated opening date is June 2028, which gives locals plenty of time to wonder if the final design will match the ambition.

Historic Preservation Planner Caitlin Berube-Smith emphasized that this is a rehabilitation, not a simple restoration. That distinction matters. Restoration freezes a building in a specific moment; rehabilitation allows for adaptation. Project Architect Tom Davis explained that while the front facade — with its light blonde and red brick dating back to the late 1940s, its vertical marquee, and its changeable message sign — will retain its historical integrity, everything behind it will be essentially demolished and rebuilt. You’re keeping the face of the past but giving the body a new heartbeat.

The project required four variances regarding height, average plate height, setback, and parking. The current height requirement for buildings without upper-level residential units is 28 feet. The Chief Theater will rise to 38 feet. Why the extra 10 feet? Davis said it’s necessary for the functionality of a stage that can host both music and theater performances, allowing for the vertical space needed for lighting and sound rigs that modern audiences expect.

Adams put it simply: “Historic preservation is not about freezing a building in time and hoping it remains unchanged forever. It’s about preserving what matters while thoughtfully adapting these places for current and future generations.”

There’s a warmth to the idea of a rooftop deck overlooking Lincoln Avenue, a place where the community can gather under the same sky that watched the coal mines operate and the ski jumps launch. But there’s also the rough edge of construction, the noise, the dust, and the uncertainty of whether the final product will live up to the legacy it claims to honor. The council said yes. The work begins. And somewhere in the dust of the coming years, the marquee will light up again, casting its glow on the street that has seen so much change.