Main Street Zephyrhills picks Ovation Construction for Home Theater demolition
Selective demolition at the historic Home Theater on 5th Avenue is scheduled to begin in late fall. It is the first major on-site step toward the planned East Pasco Cultural Arts Center.
Work crews are expected at the long-closed Home Theater at 38521 5th Ave. this fall. Main Street Zephyrhills has hired Ovation Construction to handle demolition at the downtown property, according to local media.
Demolition is scheduled to begin in late fall. It is the first major on-site step toward turning the 1940s-era building into the planned East Pasco Cultural Arts Center.
Home Theater milestones
- 1948
Home Theater opens under I.A. Krusen
- 2007
Theater closes
- 2024 and 2025 sessions
Florida Legislature designates state funding used to acquire the property
- Earlier in 2026
KMF Architects' initial designs envision venue, gathering spaces and rooftop deck
- Late fall
Selective demolition by Ovation Construction scheduled to begin
What is coming down, and what stays
This is selective demolition, not a teardown of the theater. Ovation's main job is removing an unstable 1940s-era Quonset Hut at the rear of the property. Clearing that structure lets crews preserve the historic core of the main building and add modern spaces around it.
Linda Starr Kerns, president of Main Street Zephyrhills, said in remarks reported by local media that hiring the contractor moves the project off the drawing board and into physical progress. She said removing the unstable rear structures gives the group a blank canvas for live performances, community gatherings and economic growth downtown.
What the arts center is planned to include
Initial designs by KMF Architects, released earlier this year, show a fully renovated performance venue, flexible indoor gathering spaces and a rooftop event deck.
Main Street Zephyrhills bought the property with state money designated during the 2024 and 2025 Florida legislative sessions. The group is still seeking donations and community partners to support the restoration.
A landmark dark since 2007
The Home Theater opened in 1948 under I.A. Krusen, a lumber businessman and former Zephyrhills mayor. It was a center of local entertainment for decades before closing in 2007.
How to follow the project
Main Street Zephyrhills has more information about the Home Theater project at mainstreetzephyrhills.org/historic-home-theater/.
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