Mitigation Best Practices, Seismic Retrofit Protects Historic Theater

The Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, SC underwent a major retrofit in 2010 to protect it from seismic and high wind damages. The retrofit included updating facilities to meet standard requirements for an operating theater, focusing on safeguarding the facility against earthquakes, high winds, and hurricanes. The renovation involved buttressing and reinforcing walls with steel and concrete, securing large metal pipes, rebuilding columns, and securing HVAC equipment. The project, costing over $20 million, was funded through federal grants, city funds, and fundraising efforts, including a grant from the National Park Service.